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English grammar

With regard to, in the wake of: complex prepositions

C1 · Advanced Place and direction Questions 10

The rule

Formal English uses multi-word prepositions with precise meanings: with regard to / with respect to / regarding / with reference to (about), on behalf of (representing), in the event of (if … happens), by virtue of (because of a quality or right), in the wake of (after and because of), in accordance with (following a rule), in addition to (as well as), in terms of (from the point of view of), with a view to + -ing (intending to), in view of (considering), on the grounds of / that (because of a reason), regardless of / irrespective of (not affected by), for the sake of, in favour of, at the expense of, in relation to. They take a noun or -ing, not a clause (only on the grounds that and in the event that take one). Typical errors: in regards to (use with regard to or as regards), with a view to buy (it is to buying), and dropping the final preposition (regardless the cost).

Pattern

with regard to / regarding / with reference to (about) · on behalf of · in the event of + noun · by virtue of · in the wake of · in accordance with · in terms of · with a view to + -ing · regardless / irrespective of · for the sake of · at the expense of

Examples

  1. I am writing with regard to your letter of 3 May.

  2. In the event of fire, leave the building by the stairs.

  3. She spoke on behalf of all the residents.

  4. Prices rose sharply in the wake of the storm.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: In regards to your question, the answer is yes.

    Right: With regard to your question, the answer is yes.

    The form is with regard to (or as regards).

  • Wrong: In the event it rains, we will cancel.

    Right: In the event of rain, we will cancel.

    in the event of + noun (or in the event that + clause).

  • Wrong: Regardless the cost, we must repair it.

    Right: Regardless of the cost, we must repair it.

    regardless of needs of.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I am writing _____ regard to the vacancy advertised on your website.

    1. in
    2. on
    3. with
    4. by
    Show answer

    Answer: C I am writing with regard to the vacancy advertised on your website.

    with regard to = about (formal).

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What does in the wake of mean?

    Several shops closed in the wake of the new bypass.

    1. Before, and despite
    2. Near to
    3. After, and as a result of
    4. Instead of
    Show answer

    Answer: C After, and as a result of

    in the wake of = following and because of.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. In the event of a delay, passengers will be informed by text.
    2. In the event a delay, passengers will be informed by text.
    3. In the event of delaying, passengers informed by text.
    4. In event of a delay, passengers will be informed by text.
    Show answer

    Answer: A In the event of a delay, passengers will be informed by text.

    in the event of + noun.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    In regards to the complaint, we have contacted the driver.

    1. In regard of the complaint, we have contacted the driver.
    2. As regard to the complaint, we have contacted the driver.
    3. With regard to the complaint, we have contacted the driver.
    4. With regards of the complaint, we have contacted the driver.
    Show answer

    Answer: C With regard to the complaint, we have contacted the driver.

    The form is with regard to.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Make it formal.

    She spoke for everyone in the street.

    1. She spoke by behalf of everyone in the street.
    2. She spoke on behalf of everyone in the street.
    3. She spoke on the behalf everyone in the street.
    4. She spoke in behalf for everyone in the street.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She spoke on behalf of everyone in the street.

    on behalf of = representing.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    All staff will be paid regardless of their contract

    Show answer

    Answer: All staff will be paid regardless of their contract.

    regardless of = not depending on.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    The request was refused on the grounds that it was too late.

    1. It was refused on the ground floor.
    2. It was late because it was refused.
    3. It was accepted although it was late.
    4. It was refused because it arrived too late.
    Show answer

    Answer: D It was refused because it arrived too late.

    on the grounds that = because (as the official reason).

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The work was carried out in accordance to the regulations.
    2. The work was carried out according with the regulations.
    3. The work was carried out in accordance with the regulations.
    4. The work was carried out in accordance of the regulations.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The work was carried out in accordance with the regulations.

    in accordance with = following.

  9. 9Fill in the gap.

    You are writing a formal report.

    In _____ of cost, the second option is clearly better.

    1. terms
    2. term
    3. side
    4. sake
    Show answer

    Answer: A In terms of cost, the second option is clearly better.

    in terms of = from the point of view of.

  10. 10Change the sentence.

    Make it formal.

    We took a loan because we wanted to buy the building.

    1. We took a loan in a view of buying the building.
    2. We took a loan with view for buying the building.
    3. We took a loan with a view to buying the building.
    4. We took a loan with a view to buy the building.
    Show answer

    Answer: C We took a loan with a view to buying the building.

    with a view to + -ing.

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