eu égard à
In View of with Eu Egard a
Eu égard à is a formal connector used in legal, administrative, and professional writing. It introduces a factor or reason that has been carefully weighed to justify a specific outcome.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
Eu égard à translates to 'in view of,' 'considering,' or 'given.' It is used to indicate that a particular fact or circumstance has been taken into account during a process of judgment or evaluation. While it is similar to parce que or en raison de, it belongs to the registre soutenu (formal register) and is typically found in professional contexts, high-level journalism, or legal documents.
2. Grammatical Structure
The locution is followed by a noun or a noun phrase:
- Eu égard à votre expérience... (In view of your experience...)
To introduce a full clause (subject + verb), it must be followed by a bridge phrase such as au fait que or à ce que:
- Eu égard au fait qu'il est mineur... (Given the fact that he is a minor...)
- Eu égard à ce que vous avez déclaré... (In view of what you declared...)
3. Phonology and Pronunciation
The word eu in this expression is the past participle of avoir and is pronounced /y/ (exactly like the French letter 'u'). In standard French, the final 'd' of égard is silent, and there is no liaison between égard and à. The full phrase is pronounced /y e.ɡaʁ a/. Attempting to pronounce the 'd' as a /t/ sound is generally avoided even in formal speech.
Examples (5)
- Eu égard à la technicité des travaux, le délai a été prolongé.
In view of the technical nature of the work, the deadline was extended.
Word by Word: Had regard to the technicality of the works, the deadline has been extended.
Here, the technical nature is the factor that justifies the administrative decision to extend the deadline.
- Une certaine indulgence lui a été accordée eu égard à son passé irréprochable.
A certain leniency was granted to him considering his irreproachable past.
Word by Word: A certain indulgence to him has been granted had regard to his past irreproachable.
The phrase introduces the positive reason (his past) for the leniency shown.
- L'action est jugée recevable eu égard au fait que le plaignant a respecté les délais.
The action is deemed admissible given that the plaintiff respected the deadlines.
Word by Word: The action is judged admissible had regard to the fact that the plaintiff has respected the deadlines.
This shows the use of 'au fait que' to connect the locution to a full clause.
- Eu égard à ce que le contrat stipule, nous ne pouvons pas accepter cette demande.
In view of what the contract stipulates, we cannot accept this request.
Word by Word: Had regard to this that the contract stipulates, we not can not accept this request.
The structure 'eu égard à ce que' is a formal way to introduce a subordinate clause.
- Eu égard aux circonstances exceptionnelles, la séance est levée.
In view of the exceptional circumstances, the session is adjourned.
Word by Word: Had regard to the circumstances exceptional, the session is lifted.
Note that 'eu' remains invariable even though 'circonstances' is feminine plural.
Common Mistakes
Using 'en égard à' instead of 'eu égard à'.
En égard à ses efforts, il a réussi.Eu égard à ses efforts, il a réussi.Learners often mistakenly use the preposition 'en' by analogy with 'en raison de'. However, the fixed expression is 'eu égard à', using the past participle of 'avoir'.
Writing 'eut' or 'eût' instead of 'eu'.
Eut égard à la situation, nous agissons.Eu égard à la situation, nous agissons.Learners often confuse the past participle 'eu' with conjugated forms of 'avoir' like the passé simple (eut) or imperfect subjunctive (eût). In this locution, it is always the simple past participle 'eu'.
Making 'eu' agree with the following noun.
Eue égard à sa demande...Eu égard à sa demande...Even if the following noun is feminine or plural, 'eu' is part of a fixed prepositional locution and remains strictly invariable.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'eu egard a', learners need to be comfortable with formal fixed expressions that function as prepositions. It requires knowledge of the past participle 'eu' (from avoir) and the preposition 'a', which links the expression to the rest of the sentence.
- Irregular past participle forms
The word 'eu' in this fixed expression is the past participle of the verb 'avoir', and understanding its form helps in recognizing the structure of the phrase.
Level 2 - à cet égardIn This Regard with a Cet Egard
Familiarity with the noun 'egard' in other fixed expressions like 'a cet egard' helps the learner understand the semantic root of the formal connector.
Level 5
Related Patterns
- au regard deIn Light of with Au Regard De
A very close synonym often used interchangeably in professional French, though 'au regard de' can also mean 'in comparison with'.
Level 5 - dans la mesure oùInsofar as with Dans La Mesure Ou
Another formal connector used to introduce a justification or a limit to a statement.
Level 5 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Note that unlike many formal phrases, there is no liaison between 'égard' and 'à'; the 'd' remains silent.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice eu égard à in Bubblegum
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