with respect to

Meaning

This formal prepositional phrase means 'concerning', 'regarding', or 'in relation to' a specific subject. It is widely used in academic and professional writing to specify which variable, aspect, or data point is being discussed, compared, or analyzed.

Examples

• The two groups showed significant differences with respect to their cognitive processing speeds.

  The two groups showed significant differences with respect to their cognitive processing speeds.

• With respect to the budget, we have decided to allocate more funds to the technology department.

  With respect to the budget, we have decided to allocate more funds to the technology department.

• The paper evaluates the policy's effectiveness with respect to environmental sustainability.

  The paper evaluates the policy's effectiveness with respect to environmental sustainability.

• What are your conclusions with respect to the initial hypothesis?

  What are your conclusions with respect to the initial hypothesis?

• The study is limited with respect to the diversity of its participants.

  The study is limited with respect to the diversity of its participants.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ With respect of the new rules, we must adjust our methodology.

  ✓ With respect to the new rules, we must adjust our methodology.

  The correct prepositional phrase is 'with respect to', not 'with respect of'.

• ✗ The results were positive with respects to student engagement.

  ✓ The results were positive with respect to student engagement.

  The word 'respect' must remain in its singular form in this set idiom. Do not pluralize it to 'respects'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The essay compares the two political systems ___ their economic policies.

  💡 Concerning or in relation to.

  Show answer

  with respect to

• ___ the timeline, the project is currently two weeks ahead of schedule.

  💡 Regarding or in reference to (used at the beginning of a sentence).

  Show answer

  With respect to