having regard to

USAGE SUMMARY

"having regard to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a certain aspect or factor that needs to be taken into consideration while making a decision or determining something. Example: Having regard to their difficult financial situation, the family decided to downgrade their lifestyle.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That statement is unfair and inaccurate having regard to the evidence.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

"Further unnecessary delay could not be contemplated, having regard to the time which had already passed," the court said.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

In particular having regard to budgetary cuts, and that in part was a motivating factor in acting as you did.

The Guardian

Detective Inspector Sean McMahon, of South Yorkshire police, said: "The investigation is being progressed as quickly as possible having regard to the serious nature of the allegation made.

The Guardian

Local GP commissioners, renamed Clinical Care Groups CCGss), must put a duty to ensure choice (competition) well above "having regard to" equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Season with salt (having regard to the saltiness of the ham or bacon), pepper, and a scraping of nutmeg, and add the meat stock or water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"First of all, collective deportations without having regard to the individual rights of those who claim to be refugees are illegal.

The Guardian

The order obliges him to consult the parties in Northern Ireland, and then to make his decision while "having regard" to the Good Friday agreement.

The Economist

"Reconsideration will I hope be given to whether the present regulatory regime is appropriate having regard to the hardship it can and does produce".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "having regard to", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what factor is being considered and its relevance to the decision or statement being made. For example: "Having regard to the budget constraints, we must prioritize essential projects."

Common error

Avoid using "having regard to" in informal contexts where it may sound pretentious or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "considering" or "taking into account" in casual conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having regard to" functions as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a factor or circumstance that is relevant to a subsequent statement or decision. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, indicating its accepted grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having regard to" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that a particular factor should be considered. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and Ludwig's examples demonstrate it commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While effective in these settings, avoid it in informal communication. Use alternatives such as "taking into account" or "considering" for a less formal tone. By understanding its proper function and contexts, you can confidently use "having regard to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking into account

Replaces "having regard to" with a more common and slightly less formal expression.

considering

A more concise and direct alternative, suitable for many contexts where "having regard to" is used.

bearing in mind

Emphasizes remembering or keeping something in mind during a decision-making process.

in light of

Suggests that a decision is made based on new information or a particular perspective.

in view of

Similar to "in light of", but can also imply anticipation or expectation.

taking cognizance of

A more formal and legalistic alternative, often used in official documents.

with due consideration to

Highlights the careful and thorough thought given to a particular factor.

keeping in view

Implies maintaining focus on a specific aspect throughout a process.

mindful of

Focuses on being aware and attentive to certain considerations.

attentive to

Indicates a careful and thoughtful approach to specific details or factors.

FAQs

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

Use "having regard to" to introduce a factor that should be considered when making a decision or assessment. For instance: "Having regard to the weather forecast, we should postpone the outdoor event."

What are some alternatives to "having regard to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "taking into account", "considering", or "bearing in mind", depending on the context.

Is "having regard to" formal or informal?

"Having regard to" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, legal, or academic writing. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "having regard to" and "taking into account"?

While both phrases indicate consideration of a factor, "having regard to" is slightly more formal and implies a more deliberate and careful assessment compared to "taking into account".