Formal Prepositions: met betrekking tot
Use the whole group like one preposition: Ek skryf na aanleiding van u navraag. (I am writing in response to your enquiry.)
How It Works
1. Common groups.
- met betrekking tot (m.b.t.) — with regard to, regarding
- ten opsigte van (t.o.v.) — with respect to
- na aanleiding van (n.a.v.) — in response to, following
- deur middel van (d.m.v.) — by means of
- in verband met — in connection with
- op grond van — on the basis of
- in die lig van — in light of
- met die oog op — with a view to
2. Fixed last word. Each group has its own final preposition: met betrekking tot, na aanleiding van. Learn it with the group.
3. With a pronoun for a thing. Just as met dit becomes daarmee, the last word joins with daar or hier: met betrekking daartoe, na aanleiding daarvan, in verband hiermee. See daar/hier + preposition.
4. At the front. A phrase with one of these groups can start the sentence. The verb then comes next: Ten opsigte van die begroting het ons geen besware nie.
5. Plain options. In speech, oor often replaces met betrekking tot, and met or deur replaces deur middel van. Too many long prepositions make writing heavy, which is part of the nominal style.
Examples (6)
- Ek skryf na aanleiding van u navraag.
I am writing in response to your enquiry.
Word by Word: I write after occasion of your enquiry.
- Daar is nuwe reëls met betrekking tot parkering.
There are new rules regarding parking.
Word by Word: There are new rules with relation to parking.
- Die betaling kan deur middel van 'n elektroniese oorplasing gedoen word.
Payment can be made by means of an electronic transfer.
Word by Word: The payment can through means of an electronic transfer done be.
- Ten opsigte van die begroting het ons geen besware nie.
With regard to the budget, we have no objections.
Word by Word: With respect of the budget have we no objections not.
- Die skool het 'n vergadering belê in verband met die nuwe skoolure.
The school called a meeting in connection with the new school hours.
Word by Word: The school has a meeting called in connection with the new school-hours.
- Op grond van die bewyse is hy vrygespreek.
On the basis of the evidence, he was acquitted.
Word by Word: On ground of the evidence is he acquitted.
Common Mistakes
Using the wrong final preposition.
Daar is nuwe reëls met betrekking van parkering.Daar is nuwe reëls met betrekking tot parkering.The group is fixed: met betrekking tot. Na aanleiding van and ten opsigte van end in van, but this one ends in tot.
Using dit after the group for a thing.
Ek het 'n vraag met betrekking tot dit.Ek het 'n vraag met betrekking daartoe.After a preposition, dit for a thing becomes daar joined to the preposition: tot dit becomes daartoe.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Formal writing uses prepositions made of several words.
Related Patterns
- ten/terFixed Phrases with Ten and Ter
Several formal prepositions contain the old ten, such as ten opsigte van.
Level 5 - daarmee/hiervoor/daaroorDaarmee, Hiervoor, Daaroor
With a pronoun, the last word joins daar: met betrekking daartoe.
Level 3 - oorOver and About
The plain everyday word for "about" that often replaces met betrekking tot.
Level 2 - ten spyte van/ondanksDespite
Another formal preposition, meaning "despite".
Level 4 - Nominal Style
Heavy use of these groups is typical of the nominal style.
Level 6 - Formal Written Afrikaans
These prepositions are typical of formal letters and reports.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Formal Prepositions: met betrekking tot in Bubblegum
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