[Vocabulary] the difference between pertaining to and with respect to

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javierchang

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Hi, can anyone tell me the difference between pertaining to and with respect to, I have seen a lot of sentences and I can barely tell the difference between them. Can these two phrase can be replaced by each other freely in writing?
 

Rover_KE

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It would be better if you quoted or composed one or two sentences containing these phrases.
 

Raymott

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In any case, they are not interchangeable.

"With respect to X, I can let you know ..." OK
"Pertaining to X, I can let you know ..." Wrong

"Can I see the letters pertaining to his proposal?" OK
"Can I see the letters with respect to his proposal?" Wrong
 

billmcd

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Hi, can anyone tell me the difference between pertaining to and with respect to, I have seen a lot of sentences and I can barely tell the difference between them. Can these two phrase can be replaced by each other freely in writing?

I would consider little difference in typical conversation/correspondence between the two phrases.
 

billmcd

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In any case, they are not interchangeable.

"With respect to X, I can let you know ..." OK
"Pertaining to X, I can let you know ..." Wrong

"Can I see the letters pertaining to his proposal?" OK
"Can I see the letters with respect to his proposal?" Wrong

Can you explain the "wrongs"?
 

Raymott

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