GRAMMAR DETAIL

～ほど

to the extent that; so ... that

Follows an action or state to show that the degree supporting the following judgment is very great or clearly evident.

Examples

立っていられないほど足が疲れた。

My legs were so tired that I could not remain standing.

発表の前は声が出ないほど緊張しました。

Before the presentation, I was so nervous that I could not speak.

目を開けていられないほど日差しが強い。

The sunlight is so strong that I cannot keep my eyes open.

Structure: A clause giving a benchmark of degree takes ほど.
Basic usage: 声が出ないほど緊張しました means being so nervous that one's voice would not come out.

Degree benchmark and main statement
- 立っていられないほど足が疲れた describes tired legs by reference to being unable to remain standing. The first clause makes the degree concrete; the second states the main condition.
ほど in a negative comparison
- 思ったほど難しくない describes difficulty below the expected degree. ほど does not always indicate an extremely high degree; interpret it with the following negation.