How do I explain the difference between "taking into account" and "considering" to ESL students and can they be used interchangeably in the following sentences?
"Taking into account that my sales are the highest of anyone on our team, I feel that I should get the corner office."
"Considering how long I've worked for this company, I think I should be promoted to a managerial position."
I realize that "that" must come after "taking into account" in the first sentence, but I could also say "considering that" – correct?
Also, I'd love any other specific pointers about how to place these phrases in sentences (e.g. only before nouns etc.). Thanks!
Best Answer
@FumbleFingers is, of course, right to point out that there are always likely to be nuances that distinguish the precise meaning of apparently equivalent expressions.
To my ears the difference, in the context quoted, between 'taking into account' and 'considering' is that the latter would be used by the person asking for more money, and the former, as part of the explanation why the amount awarded, if any, was what it was. Consider "I have taken into account that you are the first to arrive and the last to leave the office, but...", but if I were the generous boss that we all wish we had you might hear "Considering that... I am pleased to promote you to ..."
The point is that the expression 'take into account' is a wonderfully vague way of pointing out that some arguably relevant information has not been neglected. It does not mean that the actual decision has in fact been influenced by that information. It is an example of the well known bureaucratic technique of CYA: if you state that something has been taken into account then you cannot be accused of ignoring it, even if its weight with you was negligible.