Navigating 'Au Vu De' vs. 'En Vue De'

The French language, with its intricate rules and subtle nuances, often presents challenges for learners and even native speakers alike. Among the common points of confusion are the expressions 'au vu de' and 'en vue de'. While they may seem similar, their correct usage hinges on understanding the underlying grammatical principles and the distinct meanings they convey. This article aims to demystify these phrases, offering a clear guide to their proper application and helping you to confidently navigate these linguistic waters.

Understanding 'Vu' and 'Vue'

Before delving into the specific expressions, it's crucial to grasp the different forms of 'vu' and 'vue' in French. This foundational understanding will illuminate why one is used over the other in certain contexts.

'Vue' as a Noun

'Vue' (feminine noun) is derived from the verb 'voir' (to see). It generally refers to the act of perception, the way of looking at something, or the appearance of a thing or fact. It can be used in the singular or plural form, taking an 's' when plural.

Examples:

• "A la vue de ce grossier personnage, la foule eut de concert le même mouvement de recul." (At the sight of this crude character, the crowd collectively made the same recoiling movement.)
• "En tant qu’éthologue de terrain, des spectacles insoupçonnés s’offrent à ma vue, surtout si je reste patient." (As a field ethologist, unsuspected spectacles present themselves to my sight, especially if I remain patient.)
• "Les vues de Simon sur l’aînée avaient été sapées par son héritage misérable. On ne lui octroierait difficilement que la main de la plus jeune." (Simon's prospects concerning the elder daughter had been undermined by his miserable inheritance. He would hardly be granted the hand of the younger one.)

'Vu' as a Past Participle

'Vu' is the past participle of the verb 'voir'. As a past participle, it agrees in gender and number with the subject it refers to.

Examples:

• "J’ai vu ce film hier avec mon fils." (I saw this film yesterday with my son.)
• "Ils ont été vus ensemble dans un bus." (They were seen together on a bus.)
• "Je vais acheter les jolies fleurs que j’ai vues ce matin." (I am going to buy the pretty flowers that I saw this morning.)

'Vu' as an Adjective

When used as an adjective, 'vu' can also agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Examples:

• "Ce sont des employés mal vus dans la société." (These are employees who are poorly regarded in society.)
• "Tâcher de mémoriser toutes les règles vues jusque-là." (Try to memorise all the rules seen so far.)
• "J’aime le paysage vu de cette montagne." (I like the landscape seen from this mountain.)

'Vu' as a Preposition (in 'Vu que')

Finally, 'vu' can function as a preposition, most notably in the expression 'vu que', which is synonymous with 'étant donné que' (given that, since).

Examples:

• "Vu la multitude des règles, ils auront du mal à les assimiler toutes." (Given the multitude of rules, they will struggle to assimilate them all.)
• "Vu la gravité de ses blessures, on a dû l’évacuer d’urgence." (Given the severity of his injuries, he had to be evacuated urgently.)

Deciphering 'Au Vu De'

The expression 'au vu de' is where the confusion often arises. In this context, 'vu' functions as an invariable adjective, similar to its use in other set phrases like 'au vu et au su de' (with the knowledge of), 'ni vu ni connu' (discreetly), or 'jamais vu' (never seen before).

The key characteristic of 'au vu de' is that the word 'vu' remains invariable, meaning it does not change its form to agree with any preceding noun or pronoun. This invariability is particularly evident when 'au vu de' begins a sentence or precedes a pronoun.

When to Use 'Au Vu De':

You employ 'au vu de' when you want to present a significant prerequisite or a factual basis for something that follows. It essentially means 'given that' or 'in light of'. The consequence or statement that comes after 'au vu de' is a result of the situation or fact presented.

Examples:

• "Au vu de l'incident qui s’est produit, les autorités vont sûrement fermer ce centre." (In light of the incident that occurred, the authorities will surely close this centre.)
• "Au vu des rumeurs, on devrait enquêter avant d’accepter leur offre." (Given the rumours, we should investigate before accepting their offer.)
• "Il faut qu’elle arrête de fumer au vu de son état de santé." (She must stop smoking in view of her health condition.)
• "Au vu de l’ampleur des dégâts, il va falloir du temps pour tout reconstruire." (Given the extent of the damage, it will take time to rebuild everything.)

A helpful mnemonic for 'au vu de' is to check if it can be replaced by 'étant donné' (given) or 'compte tenu de' (taking into account). If it can, and if 'vu' starts the phrase or precedes a noun/pronoun without changing form, then 'au vu de' is the correct choice. In everyday language, 'au vu de' is sometimes replaced by 'vu que', often in a more informal tone.

Informal Usage Examples:

• "Vu que tu n’étais pas chez toi, j’ai continué ma route." (Since you weren't home, I continued on my way.)
• "Il n’a pas su répondre vu que les questions tombaient à flot." (He couldn't answer as the questions were coming thick and fast.)

Understanding 'En Vue De'

In contrast, the expression 'en vue de' uses the feminine noun 'vue', similar to its use in expressions like 'à vue de nez' (by guesswork), 'à vue d'oiseau' (from a bird's-eye view), or 'à première vue' (at first glance).

Here, the noun 'vue' also remains invariable because it precedes a noun or pronoun. The core meaning of 'en vue de' revolves around purpose, intention, or anticipation of a future event.

When to Use 'En Vue De':

Use 'en vue de' when you are talking about a situation that is anticipated or expected to happen, or when you are stating the purpose or objective behind an action.

Examples:

• "Nous avons décoré la salle en vue de la fête de ce soir." (We decorated the room in preparation for tonight's party.)
• "En vue de la prochaine manifestation, les forces de l’ordre ont été mobilisées." (In anticipation of the upcoming demonstration, law enforcement was mobilised.)
• "Le directeur nous a convoqués en vue de la réception des nouvelles recrues." (The director summoned us with a view to receiving the new recruits.)
• "Il a demandé à rencontrer les plaignants en vue de négocier." (He asked to meet the complainants with a view to negotiating.)

Key Differences Summarised

The fundamental distinction between 'au vu de' and 'en vue de' lies in their meaning and grammatical function. 'Au vu de' is used to present a reason or a basis grounded in existing facts or circumstances, often translatable as 'given' or 'in light of'. It signifies a response to a present reality.

'En vue de', on the other hand, points towards a future intention, goal, or anticipated event. It answers the question 'for what purpose?' or 'in anticipation of what?'. It signifies a forward-looking perspective.

Comparative Table

Common Errors to Avoid

Mistakes in using these expressions often stem from not recognising the invariable nature of 'vu' in 'au vu de' or the noun status of 'vue' in 'en vue de'.

• Incorrect: "Aux vues de sa stature..." or "Au vue de sa stature..."
  Correct: "Au vu de sa stature..."
  The preposition 'vu' in 'au vu de' is invariable. It does not agree with gender or number. Therefore, 'aux vues' or 'au vue' are incorrect. 'Vu' here is not acting as a past participle or an adjective that needs to agree with a subject.
• Incorrect: "En vu de sa promotion..." or "En vues de sa promotion..."
  Correct: "En vue de sa promotion..."
  The expression 'en vue de' uses the noun 'vue', which remains invariable in this structure and does not take a plural 's'.

Understanding that 'au vu de' relates to existing conditions and 'en vue de' relates to future objectives is the most reliable way to ensure correct usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can 'au vu de' ever take an 's' or an 'e'?

A1: No. In the expression 'au vu de', 'vu' is an invariable prepositional element. Writing 'aux vues de' or 'au vue de' is grammatically incorrect.

Q2: When should I use 'en vue de' instead of 'au vu de'?

A2: Use 'en vue de' when you are stating a purpose or an anticipation of a future event. For instance, "He is studying hard en vue de passing his exams." If you are stating a reason based on current circumstances, use 'au vu de'. For example, "Au vu de his poor performance, he was not promoted.".

Q3: Is 'vu que' the same as 'au vu de'?

A3: 'Vu que' is often used as a more informal substitute for 'au vu de' when 'au vu de' means 'given that' or 'since'. However, 'au vu de' can also imply 'in light of' or 'considering', which 'vu que' might not fully capture. While they overlap, 'au vu de' often carries a slightly more formal or considered tone.

Q4: What are some other expressions that use 'vue'?

A4: French has many expressions using 'vue', such as 'à vue d'œil' (by eye, approximately), 'à première vue' (at first glance), 'coup d'œil' (a glance), 'perdre de vue' (to lose sight of), and 'avoir en vue' (to have in mind, to aim for).

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between 'au vu de' and 'en vue de' is a valuable step in refining your French. By remembering that 'au vu de' is grounded in present facts and 'en vue de' is oriented towards future goals, and by paying close attention to the invariable nature of 'vu' in the former and the noun status of 'vue' in the latter, you can confidently employ these phrases. Keep practicing, and soon these nuances will become second nature.