Having regard to

USAGE SUMMARY

"Having regard to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to take into account a certain factor in a given situation. For example, "Having regard to the current climate, we've decided to cancel the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having regard to all the information available to us, we assess this test has not been met".

The Guardian

"Having regard to all the information available to us we assess that this test has not been met".

The Guardian

"Having regard to the totality of this evidence in this matter, the unanimous decision of this court is the following: on count one, murder … the accused is found not guilty and is discharged," Masipa said.

The Guardian

"Having regard to the lack of clear, specific professional guidance and that it is undisputed that your intention was to relieve suffering rather than to hasten death, the panel is satisfied that at all times you sought to act in the best interests of each baby".

The Guardian

Having regard to the strong financial position of such companies as Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Anglo-Persian and Burmah Oil, the market appears to be taking an unduly pessimistic view of the ability of these companies to withstand the present depression in the oil industry.

The Economist

Having regard to Eq. 1, this results in (3).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Having regard to this conditioning and the degradation of a wall covering, the first option should always be its conservation, maintenance and repair.

Engineering Structures

Having regard to the sketches, people who make up these alternative logos, developed the design again and they gave the final shape with using design principles and elements for the logo.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Having regard to the cost of participation it is likely that the children of families with Health Care Cards (entitling families to a range of free services for their children) attend longer hours than the children in families with lower incomes; child care is cheaper for families with Health Care Cards, and 4-year-old kindergarten programs in Victoria are effectively free for all.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Having regard to the fact that this process, and in particular its first step (that is the acquisition phase), strongly depends on the operator's ability and expertise, this paper aims at proposing a strategy for automatically supporting an "optimal" acquisition phase.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Having regard to the current situation of the ITER project, two cases of designs were investigated: a smaller machine which has the same mission of the ITER/RCO (Q=10), and an ignition machine which has the same major radius as ITER/RCO (R=6.1 m).

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having regard to" when you want to formally indicate that a particular factor is being taken into consideration before making a decision or judgment. It's suitable for legal, official, and academic writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "having regard to" with more casual phrases like "considering" or "thinking about" in formal contexts. While these alternatives might seem similar, they lack the gravitas and precision required in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having regard to" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a factor to be considered. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It modifies a clause or sentence, specifying a condition or circumstance that influences the main statement. Examples in Ludwig showcase its role in stating the basis for decisions or assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having regard to" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a factor that must be considered. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal contexts, such as academic, legal, and official writing. Its primary function is to signal that a decision or assessment has been made after careful consideration of specific circumstances. While alternatives like "considering" or "taking into account" exist, they may not carry the same level of formality. The phrase is frequently found in news media and scientific publications, underscoring its relevance in professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking into account

A more explicit and common alternative, emphasizing the act of consideration.

with consideration for

Highlights the thoughtful aspect of taking something into account.

considering

Shorter and more direct, implying a simpler form of taking something into account.

in view of

Similar to 'in light of', but may suggest a broader perspective or context.

mindful of

Focuses on being aware and attentive to something when making a decision.

in light of

Suggests that new information influences the decision or assessment.

considering the fact that

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing that the consideration is based on a specific fact.

bearing in mind

Emphasizes the importance of remembering or not forgetting a specific detail.

keeping in view

Similar to 'bearing in mind', but more formal and emphasizes maintaining focus on something.

taking cognizance of

A formal alternative indicating acknowledgment and consideration of something.

FAQs

How can I use "having regard to" in a sentence?

You can use "having regard to" to introduce a factor that influences a decision or assessment. For example, "Having regard to the weather conditions, the event has been postponed."

What phrases are similar to "having regard to"?

Alternatives include "taking into account", "considering", and "in light of". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "having regard to" formal or informal?

"Having regard to" is considered a formal phrase, best suited for legal, academic, or official contexts. It conveys a sense of careful consideration and deliberation.

Can "having regard to" be used in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "having regard to" might sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "considering" or "taking into account" are generally more appropriate.