ввиду + Genitive
In View of
ввиду + Genitive is a formal way to express a reason or circumstance, typically used in official, legal, or business contexts. It often points to an impending or current situation that necessitates a decision.
How It Works
The preposition ввиду is formed from the noun вид (view/sight). In modern Russian, it serves as a high-register causal marker.
1. Stylistic Usage:
It belongs to the официально-деловой стиль (official-business style). You will find it in contracts, police reports, and formal academic writing. Using it in casual speech sounds overly robotic or bureaucratic.
2. Semantic Nuance:
While often translated as 'due to,' ввиду has a specific 'forward-looking' or 'current' nuance. It usually describes a circumstance that is either happening now or is about to happen, which forces a specific outcome. For example, 'in view of the upcoming storm' (impending) or 'in view of the lack of evidence' (current state).
3. Spelling and Distinction:
- ввиду (one word): The preposition meaning 'due to'.
- в виду (two words): A spatial phrase meaning 'in sight of' (e.g., в виду берега - in sight of the shore).
- иметь в виду (three words): The fixed idiom 'to keep in mind'.
4. Comparison with other prepositions:
Unlike благодаря (thanks to), which is positive and takes the dative, ввиду is neutral and takes the genitive. Unlike вследствие, which usually looks back at a completed cause, ввиду focuses on the situation at hand.
Examples (4)
- Ввиду предстоящих заморозков начало работ было отложено.
In view of the upcoming frosts, the start of the work was postponed.
Word by Word: In-view-of upcoming frosts start of-works was postponed.
Note the use of the genitive plural 'заморозков' and the nuance of an impending event (frosts).
- Ввиду отсутствия кворума заседание не состоялось.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting did not take place.
Word by Word: In-view-of absence of-quorum meeting not took-place.
A classic administrative sentence where 'отсутствия' is in the genitive case.
- Ввиду болезни докладчика лекция переносится.
Owing to the speaker's illness, the lecture is being rescheduled.
Word by Word: In-view-of illness of-speaker lecture is-moved.
Here, 'болезни' is the genitive singular form of 'болезнь'.
- Ввиду чрезвычайных обстоятельств мы вынуждены изменить план.
In view of extraordinary circumstances, we are forced to change the plan.
Word by Word: In-view-of extraordinary circumstances we forced change plan.
Demonstrates the use of the genitive plural 'обстоятельств'.
Common Mistakes
Writing the preposition as two words.
В виду плохой погоды рейс отменили.Ввиду плохой погоды рейс отменили.When used as a preposition meaning 'due to', it must be written as one word: 'ввиду'. The two-word version 'в виду' is only for physical sight.
Writing the idiom 'иметь в виду' as one word.
Я буду иметь ввиду ваше предложение.Я буду иметь в виду ваше предложение.The common phrase 'to keep in mind' is always three separate words: 'иметь в виду'.
Using the wrong case (e.g., Dative) after the preposition.
Ввиду плохой погоде...Ввиду плохой погоды...Learners often confuse this with 'благодаря', which takes the dative. 'Ввиду' strictly requires the genitive case.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'ввиду' correctly, learners must be comfortable with the genitive case, as this preposition requires it. Additionally, since 'ввиду' is characteristic of formal or official Russian, it is often paired with verbal nouns (like 'отсутствие' or 'болезнь') to state reasons, making familiarity with these noun types essential.
- -ние/-ение/-тиеVerbal Nouns in -ние, -ение, And -тие
This pattern is primarily used in official and written styles, where it frequently governs verbal nouns to express abstract reasons.
Level 4 - потому что / поэтомуCause and Result
Understanding basic causal relationships is necessary before learning formal stylistic alternatives like 'ввиду'.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- благодаря + DativeThanks to
Both express cause, but 'благодаря' is for positive reasons and takes the dative, while 'ввиду' is formal/neutral and takes the genitive.
Level 5 - Genitive of possession or association
The preposition 'ввиду' requires the noun following it to be in the genitive case.
Level 2 - при наличии/отсутствии + GenitiveFormal Condition of Presence or Absence
Another formal construction used in similar administrative contexts to describe conditions.
Level 6 - в силу + GenitiveFormal Cause В Силу Plus Genitive
A similar formal preposition meaning 'by virtue of', also requiring the genitive case.
Level 6 - -ние/-тие + GenitiveVerbal Noun with Genitive Object
Formal prepositions like 'ввиду' are frequently paired with verbal nouns (e.g., 'отсутствие', 'изменение') to create complex administrative sentences.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice ввиду + Genitive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Russian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
