Vague complex prepositions like “in relation to” and “with regard to” add unnecessary complexity. This complexity hinders readability. This is something you can ill afford in legal and technical documents, which are dense enough as it is.
To improve readability, replace unclear complex prepositions with simple alternatives like “against”, “of” and “on”.
Table of Contents
What is a complex preposition?
A complex preposition is a group of words that works like an ordinary one-word preposition (ThoughtCo.). For example:
- apart from
- along with
- close to
What makes a complex preposition vague?
A complex preposition becomes vague when it introduces unnecessary complexity that may require readers to pause to understand the sentence.
The following are common vague prepositions in legal and technical writing:
- in relation to
- with regard to
- in respect of
How can you tell when a complex preposition is vague? When you have to pause to work out what the sentence means exactly.
What should you do with vague complex prepositions?
When you spot a vague complex preposition, replace it with simpler alternative that clearly conveys the meaning. Doing so will reduce the mental effort for the reader and make the text more readable.
Examples
“in relation to”
In the following sentence, “in relation to” is vague and makes the sentence harder to read:
✘ The claimed subject-matter is the result of a deterioration in relation to the technical effect described in the closest prior art.
The reader must pause to determine exactly how the deterioration connects to the technical effect.
Using “of” instead expresses the relationship more directly:
✔ The claimed subject-matter is the result of a deterioration of the technical effect described in the closest prior art.
The meaning is clear, and the sentence is easier to read.
“with regard to”
In the following example, “with regard to” is wordy and unnecessary:
✘ Further arguments were not raised by the appellant with regard to the claims of auxiliary request II.
It forces the reader to work out the relationship between the arguments and the claims.
Using “on” simplifies the sentence and makes the connection clearer.
✔ Further arguments were not raised by the appellant on the claims of auxiliary request II.
You can add more precision by using “for” or “against” to clarify the appellant’s stance:
✔ Further arguments were not raised by the appellant for the claims of auxiliary request II.
✔ Further arguments were not raised by the appellant against the claims of auxiliary request II.
This helps the reader keep track of the parties in a complex legal decision.
When should you leave complex prepositions alone?
You might choose not to edit out a vague complex preposition in the following cases:
- You can’t work out what the author meant. In this case, play it safe and leave the complex preposition alone. The author may have even meant to use it to be ambiguous. Perhaps flag the issue for them.
- The alternative preposition you’d use doesn’t sound right. If the edit you have in mind risks making the text awkward, leave the complex preposition.
Sometimes, the complex preposition will be the best fit.
Summary: steps for editing vague complex prepositions out of a text
When editing, watch for complex prepositions that make sentences harder to follow. Replacing them with simpler alternatives improves clarity and readability.
The process goes as follows:
- Spot the issue — if a sentence seems unclear, check whether a vague complex preposition is to blame.
- Find a simple preposition that conveys the same meaning.
- Make the change.
- Double-check that the new preposition sounds right while not altering the meaning.
