How to use "taking everything into account"

What Does "taking everything into account" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It serves as a consequential connective, indicating that a conclusion or decision is being reached after considering all relevant factors.
• Typical sentence position: Primarily initial, sometimes medial.
• Register: Neutral to formal

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: It's usually followed by a comma and then the main clause expressing the conclusion. It often precedes a statement, recommendation, or decision.
• Punctuation rules: A comma is almost always needed after "taking everything into account" when it begins a sentence. If it appears mid-sentence, it is typically set off by commas.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can definitely start a sentence. Moving it can sometimes sound awkward, particularly if it interrupts the flow of the main clause. Negating it directly is uncommon, but the sentiment can be expressed by stating that something wasn't taken into account.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in very informal or slang-heavy contexts might seem out of place. Overusing it can also make writing sound repetitive.

Real-World Examples

"Taking everything into account, is either proposal worth it?" — The Economist

"Taking everything into account, ethanol releases almost as much carbon dioxide as petrol does." — The Economist

"Taking everything into account, the fiscal impact of migration from Bulgaria and Romania is likely to positive, but small." — The Guardian - Opinion

"When taking everything into account, the offense, defense and the alternatives we had, and what it does to the fabric of the team, we thought it was the right thing to do"." — The New York Times - Sports

"Taking everything into account, media should apply new methods of AIDS education to improve public knowledge about HIV/AIDS." — BMC Public Health

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/taking+everything+into+account

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
all things considered	A more common and slightly less formal alternative.
on balance	Implies weighing positive and negative aspects.
in light of everything	Emphasizes the information or circumstances considered.
given the circumstances	Highlights the context surrounding the decision.
after careful consideration	Emphasizes the thoroughness of the evaluation.
bearing in mind	Highlights specific factors that should not be forgotten.
with all due consideration	Formal; emphasizes respect for the factors being considered.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the comma after the introductory phrase is a common error.
• Using it without a clear connection to what has been previously discussed can make the sentence feel disjointed.
• Learners often confuse it with similar phrases like 'taking into account' or incorrectly use it without a clear connection to preceding statements, making the transition unclear.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
Taking everything into account	Consequential connective	Neutral to Formal	Initial

FAQs

Where can "taking everything into account" be placed in a sentence?

Taking everything into account is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma. While it can occasionally appear mid-sentence, this is less common and can sometimes disrupt the flow. Starting the sentence is generally the clearest and most effective usage.

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How does "taking everything into account" differ from "taking into account"?

"Taking into account" simply introduces a factor to be considered, while "taking everything into account" implies a more comprehensive evaluation leading to a conclusion or decision. The addition of "everything" emphasizes the thoroughness of the consideration.

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I'm confused about how to use this phrase correctly. How can I avoid common mistakes?

Ensure there's a clear logical connection between the information presented previously and the conclusion following "taking everything into account." Also, always remember to include the comma after the introductory phrase when it begins a sentence. Pay attention to the context and consider if a more formal or informal phrase might be more appropriate.