WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-usage of phrase prepositions: on account of, owing to, with a view to, with an eye to, with reference to, with regard to
usage of phrase prepositions: on account of, owing to, with a view to, with an eye to, with reference to, with regard to
1. What does the phrase preposition "on account of" mean? A) In place of someone or something else B) In conformity with a rule or authority C) In support of a person or decision D) Because of; owing to; as a result of a particular reason or cause
✅ Answer: D) Because of; owing to; as a result of a particular reason or cause "On account of" means because of; as a result of a particular cause or reason. It is used to introduce the reason or cause behind an action or situation. Example: "The match was postponed on account of the rain." It is more formal than "because of" and is commonly used in official, legal, and formal writing to state the reason or justification for something.
2. "The outdoor concert was cancelled _______ the unexpected thunderstorm." A) with regard to B) with a view to C) with reference to D) on account of
✅ Answer: D) on account of "On account of" correctly introduces the thunderstorm as the reason or cause for the cancellation of the concert. The thunderstorm was the direct cause that led to the cancellation. This is a classic and very natural use of "on account of" — introducing a natural event or circumstance as the reason behind a decision or outcome.
3. "The roads were blocked _______ the heavy landslide that occurred early in the morning." A) with an eye to B) with a view to C) on account of D) owing to
✅ Answer: D) owing to "Owing to" means because of; as a result of; caused by. The landslide was the direct cause of the roads being blocked. "Owing to" is used to introduce the cause of a situation and is very similar to "on account of" and "because of." It is traditionally used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce the cause formally.
4. "She is saving money _______ buying a house in the next two years." A) on account of B) owing to C) with reference to D) with a view to
✅ Answer: D) with a view to "With a view to" means with the intention of; for the purpose of achieving a future goal. She is saving money with the intention of buying a house. "With a view to" always introduces a future goal or intended outcome and is always followed by a gerund (-ing form) — never a base verb or noun. It is one of the most commonly tested phrase prepositions in formal English.
5. "He studied the market trends carefully _______ investing in the right sector." A) on account of B) owing to C) with regard to D) with an eye to
✅ Answer: D) with an eye to "With an eye to" means with the intention of; keeping a future purpose in mind; with careful consideration of a future goal. He studied the market trends keeping in mind the future purpose of investing wisely. "With an eye to" is very similar to "with a view to" but carries a slightly stronger sense of careful consideration and watchfulness regarding the future outcome.
6. "_______ your letter dated 3rd May, we wish to confirm your appointment for next Monday." A) Owing to B) On account of C) With a view to D) With reference to
✅ Answer: D) With reference to "With reference to" means concerning; about; in connection with a specific document, letter, or subject previously mentioned. The reply is being made in connection with the specific letter dated 3rd May. This is a classic and very common use of "with reference to" as the opening phrase of formal business correspondence to establish the subject of the communication.
7. "_______ your complaint about the delayed delivery, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused." A) Owing to B) With a view to C) With an eye to D) With regard to
✅ Answer: D) With regard to "With regard to" means concerning; on the subject of; in relation to. The apology is being made on the subject of the complaint about the delayed delivery. "With regard to" is widely used in formal letters and official communication to introduce the topic or subject being addressed. It is interchangeable with "in regard to" and "with reference to" in most formal contexts.
8. "He resigned from his post _______ his deteriorating health and advancing age." A) with a view to B) with an eye to C) with regard to D) on account of
✅ Answer: D) on account of "On account of" correctly introduces deteriorating health and advancing age as the reasons for his resignation. Both are valid causes or justifications that led to the decision to resign. "On account of" is the most natural choice when two or more reasons are cited together as the cause of a formal decision or action.
9. "The new policy was introduced _______ reducing operational costs and improving efficiency." A) on account of B) with reference to C) with regard to D) with a view to
✅ Answer: D) with a view to "With a view to" correctly introduces reducing costs and improving efficiency as the intended future goals behind the introduction of the new policy. The policy was introduced for the purpose of achieving those two outcomes. "With a view to" is always followed by a gerund — "reducing" and "improving" are both gerunds here.
10. Which sentence uses "owing to" INCORRECTLY? A) Owing to his vast experience, he was appointed team leader. B) The flight was delayed owing to technical difficulties. C) Owing to the shortage of funds, the project was abandoned. D) She studied hard owing to becoming a doctor in the future.
✅ Answer: D) She studied hard owing to becoming a doctor in the future. This is incorrect because "owing to" introduces a cause or reason for something that has already happened or is happening — it looks backward at the cause, not forward at a future goal. "Becoming a doctor in the future" is a future intention — not a cause. The correct phrase preposition for future purpose is "with a view to": "She studied hard with a view to becoming a doctor in the future."
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