〜限り/限りでは

Meaning

〜限り/限りでは has three distinct uses depending on the verb form preceding it. When used with dictionary form or potential verbs, it means 'do something to the fullest extent' or 'only if a condition is met.' When used with 限りでは after verbs like 知る, 聞く, or 調べる, it means 'as far as one knows' or 'based on one's investigation,' expressing information within the speaker's knowledge range.

Formation

Examples

1. できる限りの努力はした。後は試験の結果を待つだけだ。
   I've done my best effort possible. Now I just have to wait for the test results.

2. 安田さんは、今の仕事にとても満足していて、子どもを産んでも、働ける限りは働きたいと言ってたよ。
   Yasuda is very satisfied with her current job, and she said that even if she has children, she wants to continue working as long as she's able to work.

3. 今日は今シーズン最後の試合なので。力の限りがんばります!
   Today is the last game of this season. I'll do my best with all my strength!

4. 領事館のホームページに載せていると必要書類を揃えない限り、ビザ申請は受け付けられません。
   As listed on the consulate's homepage, unless you prepare all necessary documents, visa applications cannot be accepted.

5. 定年になっても、元気な限り働き続けたいと思っている人が増えている。
   Even after reaching retirement age, more and more people want to keep working as long as they are healthy.

6. 医者である限り、なるべく多くの患者を救いたいんだ。
   As long as I am a doctor, I want to help as many patients as possible.

7. 私が知る限りでは、社内で仕事の効率が一番よいのは山田さんだ。
   As far as I know, the person with the best work efficiency in our company is Yamada.

8. 私が聞いた限りでは、わが社とPE工業株式会社とはまだ契約を結んでいません。
   Based on what I heard, our company and PE Industry Corporation have not yet signed a contract.

9. 私たちが調べた限りでは、現段階で犯人に関する手がかりは見つけられていません。
   From what we investigated, no clues related to the suspect have been found at this stage.

Summary

• Use with dictionary or potential form verbs to mean 'do one's best' or 'to the fullest extent possible'
• Use as a conditional particle to mean 'only if/when' or 'as long as,' showing duration of a state or action
• Use with 限りでは after perception verbs (知る, 聞く, 見る, 調べる) to mean 'as far as one knows' or 'according to one's investigation'