What belongs on a complex prepositions list?
Complex prepositions are formal multi-word units such as in terms of, on behalf of, and in accordance with. Function guides the choice, and the final of, to, or with remains present.
- Topic: in terms of, with regard to, in view of.
- Representation and addition: on behalf of, in addition to.
- Time and compliance: prior to, in accordance with.
01 / 07
What are complex prepositions in English?
Complex prepositions are multi-word units that jointly establish a relationship to a following noun or noun group, especially in formal registers. This lesson covers seven complete phrases. In terms of, with regard to, and in view of frame a topic; on behalf of represents a person or group; in addition to adds a point; prior to places something earlier in time; and in accordance with links an action to a requirement. Learn each phrase through its final particle. This matters because a one-word equivalent in another language can tempt a writer to drop English of or to. These expressions are particularly at home in formal emails, reports, and proposals and should be stored with that register label. This lesson does not cover individual dependent prepositions after verbs or adjectives; Preposition Collocations at B2 covers those combinations. Rule: a complex preposition here is a complete formal multi-word unit.
02 / 07
How do you use in terms of and with regard to?
In terms of and with regard to frame an aspect or topic in formal writing rather than supplying a single dependent preposition. In "In terms of headcount and with regard to budget, the Munich office is fully covered," the first phrase selects headcount as a measurable aspect, while the second shifts to budget. Both units need their endings: in terms of ends in of, and with regard to ends in to. Regard is also singular in the second phrase. The form "with regards to your enquiry" therefore becomes "with regard to your enquiry" in this lesson. Choose the phrase according to the communicative job: are you selecting an aspect or naming the topic explicitly? In a formal report, this framing can make a long statement easier to follow, but the phrases should not be stacked without purpose. Rule: in terms of frames an aspect; with regard to names a topic and keeps regard singular.
03 / 07
How does in view of work in formal English?
In view of presents in formal English a consideration against which the main statement should be understood. The business example "In view of the rising costs, we adjusted the offer" places the rising costs first and thereby frames the adjustment. The phrase remains complete through of. The documented German transfer error is "In view the rising costs, we adjusted the offer," because a one-word German equivalent makes the final English particle disappear. Store the meaning together with the full form in view of. Compare it with in terms of: that phrase selects an aspect for discussion, while in view of presents a consideration behind the statement. Both belong to formal registers, but they do not perform the same job. In a proposal, that exact choice keeps the reasoning visible. Rule: in view of names the relevant consideration in formal writing and retains its final of.
04 / 07
How do you use on behalf of and in addition to?
On behalf of signals representation, while in addition to adds another item or point in formal writing. In "On behalf of the team, thank you," one person speaks for the whole group. This is where the documented L1 error appears: "On behalf the management team, thank you for your patience." The complete form is "On behalf of the management team, ..." and retains of. For addition, use "In addition to the report, we attached the figures." The figures are added to the report; nobody is being represented. That clear functional contrast makes the mapping unambiguous. In formal emails, on behalf of can frame thanks or an announcement, while in addition to can structure the documents or points in a message. Check the ending of the entire unit before adding the following noun or noun group. Rule: on behalf of represents a group; in addition to adds another point.
05 / 07
When do prior to and in accordance with fit?
Prior to fits formal registers when placing something earlier in time, while in accordance with links an action to a requirement. "Prior to launch, we completed the review" places the review before the launch. "In accordance with the policy, we stored the records securely" instead shows that the storage follows the stated requirement. Do not blur the functions of time and compliance. Pronunciation can support retrieval of the longer phrase: in accordance with is /ɪn əˈkɔːdəns wɪð/, with the main stress on cor and a weak with. Both expressions are particularly suited to formal writing; they are not compulsory replacements for every everyday time or rule expression. Choose them when the report or email needs this register and this precise function. Rule: prior to marks earlier time formally; in accordance with formally links an action to a requirement.
06 / 07
How do formal prepositional phrases work in business English?
Formal prepositional phrases structure business English when each complete unit performs a clear job in an email, report, or proposal. A message can name its topic with "With regard to the revised proposal, the budget is now complete." "In addition to the forecast, we have attached the staffing plan" adds a document. "On behalf of the project team, thank you for your feedback" speaks for a group, and "We will proceed in accordance with the agreed schedule" links the action to a requirement. At least four functions now appear in one realistic context, rather than serving as decoration. Check three things for each unit: does the function fit, is the formal register relevant, and is the final of, to, or with present? Individual dependent prepositions remain the territory of Preposition Collocations at B2. Rule: in business English, a multi-word preposition is precise when function, register, and complete form align.
07 / 07
How do multi-word and dependent prepositions differ?
Multi-word prepositions form a complete phrase before a noun or noun group here, while an individual dependent preposition is selected by a particular verb or adjective. Preposition Collocations at B2 covers that second family; it is not retaught here. For this lesson, compare "with regard budget" with "with regard to budget": only the second unit is complete because final to belongs to it. The same principle protects on behalf of and in view of from the documented German omission error. Rule: learn the multi-word phrase through its final particle; individual dependent prepositions remain in their own lesson.