word choice - "So long as" vs. "as long as"


Which phrase is more formal — "so long as" or "as long as"?


Example:




  • So long as Google Voice allows free long distance in North America, I will use it.

  • As long as Google Voice allows free long distance in North America, I will use it.



I'm leaning toward 'as long as' but I have no justification.



Answer



I don't know that the distinction between these two is formality. I think that "so long as" indicates a logical predication, and "as long as" indicates a specific time interval. Take your two examples.



  • So long as Google Voice allows free long distance in North America, I will use it.


I think this could be paraphrased as



  • My use of Google Voice is conditional upon free long distance calls in North America.


Your second example was



  • As long as Google Voice allows free long distance in North America, I will use it.


This could be paraphrased as



  • For the duration of time that Google Voice allows free long distance in North America, I will be using it.


Thinking about it, I think that both "so long as" and "as long as" are used for the conditional reading, but only "as long as" can be used for the duration reading.


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