im Hinblick auf

With a View to (Im Hinblick Auf)

Level 4

im Hinblick auf is a formal expression used to introduce a specific perspective or factor that influences a decision or situation. It is common in business and academic German.

How It Works

The expression im Hinblick auf is a staple of administrative German and formal writing. It allows a speaker to set a specific context or 'lens' through which the rest of the sentence should be viewed.

1. Grammatical Structure:
The phrase is fixed. Even though auf can sometimes be a two-way preposition, in this specific idiomatic construction, it always takes the accusative case.
Example: im Hinblick auf den Erfolg (masculine accusative).

2. Connecting to Clauses (im Hinblick darauf, dass...):
To link this expression to a full action rather than just a noun, you must use a da-compound. By adding darauf, you can introduce a subordinate clause starting with dass.
Example: Im Hinblick darauf, dass die Preise steigen, müssen wir sparen. (In view of the fact that prices are rising, we must save.)

3. Variants and Synonyms:
You may also encounter the variant in Hinblick auf (without the contraction im), which carries the same meaning. For a more concise alternative, writers often use the genitive preposition hinsichtlich.

4. Usage and Nuance:
While it can mean 'with the goal of,' it more often means 'considering' or 'given the factor of.' It highlights a specific consideration:

  • Im Hinblick auf die Kosten... (Considering the costs...)
  • Im Hinblick auf die Zukunft... (With a view toward the future...)

5. Register:
You will rarely hear this in casual conversation. In daily life, Germans prefer simpler constructions like wegen (because of) or was ... betrifft (as far as ... is concerned). Use this pattern when writing reports, formal emails, or academic papers to become proficient in nominal style.

Examples (4)

  1. Im Hinblick auf die steigenden Preise müssen wir sparen.

    In view of the rising prices, we must save money.

    Word by Word: In-the view on the rising prices must we save.

    Here, 'die steigenden Preise' is in the accusative plural. The phrase sets the reason/context for the need to save.

  2. Die Strategie ist im Hinblick auf den Umweltschutz sinnvoll.

    The strategy makes sense with regard to environmental protection.

    Word by Word: The strategy is in-the view on the environmental-protection sensible.

    'Den Umweltschutz' is masculine accusative. The phrase limits the 'sensibleness' to the perspective of the environment.

  3. Im Hinblick auf Ihre Prüfung wünsche ich Ihnen viel Erfolg.

    With a view to your exam, I wish you much success.

    Word by Word: In-the view on your exam wish I you much success.

    This is a very formal way to reference a specific upcoming event like an exam.

  4. Was planen Sie im Hinblick auf das neue Projekt?

    What are you planning regarding the new project?

    Word by Word: What plan you in-the view on the new project?

    'Das neue Projekt' is neuter accusative. The phrase focuses the question on this specific topic.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative case after 'auf'.

    Im Hinblick auf dem Erfolg...
    Im Hinblick auf den Erfolg...

    Even though 'auf' can be dative in other contexts, this fixed expression strictly requires the accusative case.

  • Forgetting to capitalize 'Hinblick'.

    im hinblick auf...
    im Hinblick auf...

    In German, all nouns must be capitalized. 'Hinblick' is a noun meaning 'view' or 'glance'.

  • Confusing the preposition with 'in Bezug auf'.

    im Bezug auf...
    in Bezug auf...

    While similar in meaning, 'Bezug' uses 'in' (without the article), whereas 'Hinblick' usually uses 'im' (in + dem).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

im Hinblick aufLevel 4With a View to (Im Hinblick Auf)

Learn This First

To use 'im Hinblick auf' correctly, a learner needs to understand the contraction of 'in' and 'dem', the capitalization of the noun 'Hinblick', and the fact that the preposition 'auf' in this context triggers the accusative case for the following noun phrase.

Words in This Pattern

Hinblick