What Does "in respect of" Mean?
- Grammatical function: "In respect of" is a compound preposition used to establish a logical relationship of reference or connection. It functions similarly to "regarding" or "concerning," specifying the particular area or subject being discussed.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial position (to set the frame of the sentence), medial position (to qualify a specific noun or verb), or occasionally the final position.
- Register: This expression is strictly formal. It is most frequently encountered in legal, administrative, academic, and high-level journalistic contexts. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It is always followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (e.g., "in respect of the payment"). It often follows nouns to provide specific detail (e.g., "standards in respect of financial services").
- Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a topic, it is typically followed by a comma (e.g., "In respect of the budget, we are on track."). When used mid-sentence, commas are usually unnecessary unless the phrase is parenthetical.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence to provide topical focus. While it cannot be directly negated (you wouldn't say "not in respect of"), the surrounding clause can be negative.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using this phrase in informal emails or texts sounds overly stiff. Additionally, using it to mean "because of" (causality) is incorrect; it should only be used to denote "about" or "concerning."
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from in respect of on Ludwig.guru.
"In respect of music - highly cultivated; in respect of art - ignorant." — theguardian.com
"Please find attached the cheque in respect of this offer." — theguardian.com
"In respect of all international negotiations and compacts, and in respect of our foreign relations generally, state lines disappear." — cornell.edu
"Therefore the standards that apply in respect of financial services and their provision from Gibraltar are exactly the same standards that apply in respect of London, in respect of Frankfurt and the rest of the EU." — theguardian.com
"Now of the three kinds of motion that there are-motion in respect of magnitude, motion in respect of affection, and motion in respect of place-it is this last, which we call locomotion, that must be primary." — mit.edu
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+respect+of
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| regarding |
Neutral to formal; a standard professional alternative for general reference. |
| with respect to |
Very formal; almost identical in meaning and often preferred in American English. |
| as regards |
Formal; often used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a new topic. |
| concerning |
Neutral; slightly more fluid and less "legalistic" than in respect of. |
| as for |
Neutral; used to switch focus to a new subject, common in both speech and writing. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Preposition: Learners often confuse it with 'with respect to' or use the incorrect preposition 'in respect to'. While "with respect to" is a valid variant, "in respect to" is widely considered a non-standard hybrid.
- Overuse in Informal Contexts: Using this phrase in a casual conversation (e.g., "In respect of lunch, I'm hungry") sounds archaic or pompous.
- Confusing with 'Respect' (Esteem): Do not use this connective when you mean showing honor or admiration for someone; it is strictly a functional term for "concerning."
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| in respect of |
Reference / Connection |
Formal / Legal |
Initial or Medial |
FAQs
Can in respect of be used at the beginning of a sentence or only in the middle
The phrase in respect of is highly flexible and can appear in both sentence-initial and mid-clause positions. When it starts a sentence, it serves as a sentence adverbial to establish the topic, while in the middle, it often functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun.
What is the difference between in respect of and regarding
While both terms express a relationship of reference, in respect of is significantly more formal and is common in legal or official documents. In contrast, regarding is more neutral and versatile, making it the preferred choice for standard business correspondence and journalism.
Is it correct to say in respect to instead of in respect of
No, learners often confuse it with with respect to or use the incorrect preposition in respect to. To remain grammatically accurate in formal English, you should use either the full phrase in respect of or the alternative with respect to.