[Benny Hicks]

Are the words "insomuch" and "inasmuch" synonomous? Is one more appropriate in a given context?

For example:
One might therefore say that the existence of the potentiality of perfection in men necessitates the existence of evil, inasmuch as the deprivation of good must be a viable alternative to perfection.

vs.

One might therefore say that the existence of the potentiality of perfection in man necessitates the existence of evil, insomuch as the deprivation of good must be a viable alternative to perfection.

Thanks guys.

Ben

[Guido]

inasmuch

\In`as*much"\, adv. [In + as + much.] In like degree; in like manner; seeing that; considering that; since; -- followed by as. See In as much as, under In, prep.

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. --Matt. xxv. 45.


insomuch

\In`so*much"\, adv. So; to such a degree; in such wise; -- followed by that or as, and formerly sometimes by both. Cf. Inasmuch.

Insomusch as that field is called . . . Aceldama. --Acts i. 19.

Judging from these definitions they are basically just verbose ways of saying "as" or "so". That being said, don't think they could be considered synonymous. Though, they could be interchangable in a lot of situations, like the one that you stated in your post.

"Inasmuch" needs to be followed by "as", which makes it kind of redundant. "Insomuch" is followed by "as" or "that".

Anyways, I'd think "insofar" would tend to be a more appropriate word than "insomuch", wouldn't you?

[H.M. Murdock]

Inasmuch is a comparison of things through similarity in design, characteristics, etc.- "in like degree."
Insomuch is a compariosn of things through numerical similarity, or other such areas not pertaining to similarities covered by "inasmuch"; "to such a degree."

It's all in the first part of the definitions given by Guido.