à cet égard
In This Regard with a Cet Egard
À cet égard is a formal adverbial phrase used to link a new statement to a previously mentioned topic. It translates to 'in this regard' or 'on this subject' and is common in professional and academic writing.
How It Works
1. Usage and Register
À cet égard belongs to the style soutenu (formal register). While you will rarely hear it in casual conversation, it is essential for formal essays, reports, and journalism. It helps maintain cohesion by pointing back to a specific idea.
2. Syntax and Position
As a locution adverbiale, it is flexible in its placement:
- Sentence initial: Followed by a comma. À cet égard, la situation est claire.
- Mid-sentence: Often placed between the auxiliary and the past participle or after the verb. Les chiffres sont, à cet égard, très parlants.
- Sentence final: Nous attendons des précisions à cet égard.
3. Plural Variations
To quantify the scope of the perspective, you can use plural forms:
- À tous égards: In all respects / in every way. Ce projet est, à tous égards, une réussite.
- À certains égards: In certain respects / in some ways. À certains égards, son analyse est pertinente.
4. Phonology
Because égard begins with a vowel, the masculine demonstrative cet is used. You must perform a liaison between the 't' of cet and the 'é' of égard (/a sε.t‿e.gaʁ/).
5. Nuance vs. Alternatives
While à ce sujet or sur ce point are more general, à cet égard implies looking at the topic from a specific angle or perspective.
Examples (4)
- La situation économique reste fragile ; les derniers chiffres du chômage sont, à cet égard, particulièrement révélateurs.
The economic situation remains fragile; the latest unemployment figures are, in this regard, particularly revealing.
Word by Word: The situation economic remains fragile; the latest figures of the unemployment are, at this regard, particularly revealing.
Here, the connector links the 'fragile situation' to the specific 'unemployment figures' as evidence.
- Le gouvernement a promis une réforme fiscale. Nous attendons des précisions à cet égard.
The government promised tax reform. We are waiting for details in this regard.
Word by Word: The government has promised a reform fiscal. We wait for some precisions at this regard.
The phrase refers back to the 'tax reform' mentioned in the first sentence.
- À cet égard, il convient de rappeler que la loi a changé l'année dernière.
In this regard, it is worth remembering that the law changed last year.
Word by Word: At this regard, it suits to recall that the law has changed the year last.
Used at the start of a sentence to introduce a relevant fact based on the previous context.
- Cette décision est contestable à bien des égards.
This decision is questionable in many respects.
Word by Word: This decision is contestable at many of the regards.
A common variation using the plural 'égards' to mean 'in many ways' or 'in many respects'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'Dans cet égard' (Anglicism).
Dans cet égard, le projet est fini.À cet égard, le projet est fini.Learners often translate 'In this regard' literally. In French, the preposition must always be 'à'.
Confusing 'À cet égard' with 'À l'égard de'.
À cet égard de mon ami, je suis poli.À l'égard de mon ami, je suis poli.'À cet égard' is a standalone connector. If you want to say 'towards' or 'regarding' someone/something, you must use the prepositional phrase 'à l'égard de'.
Using the wrong demonstrative gender.
À ce égard...À cet égard...Even though 'égard' is masculine, it starts with a vowel, so 'ce' must become 'cet' for euphony.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'à cet égard', a learner needs to recognize the demonstrative adjective 'cet' and how it functions as a pointer to a previously mentioned idea. They also need to understand the basic use of the preposition 'à' in fixed adverbial phrases.
- ce / cet / cette / cesDemonstrative Adjectives Ce, Cet, Cette, Ces
The pattern uses the demonstrative adjective 'cet' (the masculine form used before a vowel sound) to refer back to a specific point.
Level 1 - àLocation, Direction with a
The pattern is introduced by the preposition 'à', which establishes the relationship between the current statement and the previous point.
Level 1 - Dropping a vowel before another vowel
Understanding why 'cet' is used instead of 'ce' requires knowledge of how French handles word endings before a noun starting with a vowel or silent h (égard).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- eu égard àIn View of with Eu Egard a
A related formal preposition meaning 'in view of' or 'considering'.
Level 6 - en effetIndeed with En Effet
Another formal connector used to confirm or illustrate a previous point.
Level 5 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
The 't' in 'cet' must be pronounced and linked to 'égard'.
Level 1 - au regard deIn Light of with Au Regard De
A similar expression meaning 'in light of' or 'compared to'.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice à cet égard in Bubblegum
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