On this account

You will usually find this phrase at the start of a sentence or immediately following a semi-colon. It acts as a bridge between two ideas. First, you state a fact or a situation. Then, you use on this account to introduce the result. It is very common in academic writing, legal documents, and high-level business emails. You can also use it in serious personal conversations when you are explaining a big life decision. For example, if you're explaining why you're quitting a toxic job, you might list the lack of work-life balance and then say, On this account, I have decided to move on. It makes your decision sound like a well-reasoned conclusion rather than an emotional outburst. Pro tip: do not use it for small things like choosing between pizza and sushi, or your friends might think you've been reading too many 18th-century philosophy books. Unless that is your vibe, then go for it!

This phrase lives in the penthouse of the English language. It is formal and sophisticated. You will hear it in a university lecture, read it in a New York Times editorial, or see it in a formal report. It is definitely not something you would use in a casual text to your best friend about what happened on the latest episode of Love Is Blind. Using it in a very informal setting might make you sound a bit like a Victorian professor who got lost in a Starbucks. However, in the right context—like a job interview or a presentation—it shows that you have a high level of English proficiency. It signals to the listener that you are capable of complex, structured thinking. It is a C1-level marker for a reason; it requires you to manage the flow of an entire argument, not just a single sentence.

Imagine you are writing a LinkedIn post about why remote work is better for mental health. You talk about the lack of a commute and the ability to cook healthy meals. You could then write: On this account, many professionals are refusing to return to traditional offices. This sounds much more authoritative than just saying "so." Or, think about a tech review on YouTube. The reviewer might say, "The battery life on this phone is terrible and the camera is grainy. On this account, I cannot recommend this device to my viewers." It adds a layer of professional judgment. You might even see it in a formal apology from a company: "We failed to protect user data. On this account, we are implementing new security protocols immediately." It shows that the action is a direct response to the failure.

Use on this account when you want to sound persuasive and logical. It is perfect for the 'Conclusion' section of an essay or a 'Next Steps' slide in a business presentation. It is also great when you are clarifying a position that might be controversial. By saying on this account, you are reminding the audience that your position is based on the facts you just presented. It is also useful in formal correspondence when you need to justify a request. If you are emailing a professor to ask for an extension because your laptop exploded, you could describe the explosion and then say, On this account, I am requesting a three-day extension. It sounds much more professional than "My laptop broke so please help."

Avoid this phrase in casual settings or when the reason is very simple. If you say, "I'm hungry, and on this account, I will eat a sandwich," you are going to get some weird looks. It is too heavy for such a light topic. Also, do not use it when you haven't actually provided a reason yet. The phrase points *backward*. If you haven't said anything to refer back to, the phrase makes no sense. It is like pointing at an empty wall and saying "Look at that!" Your listener will be confused. Finally, avoid using it too many times in one piece of writing. It is a strong spice; a little bit goes a long way. If every sentence starts with on this account, your writing will feel repetitive and stuffy. Use it for the big, important transitions.

The most frequent error is confusing on this account with on account of. They sound similar but work differently. On account of is followed by a noun (like "on account of the rain"). On this account is a standalone transition that refers to a whole previous idea. Another mistake is using the plural: ✗ on these accounts. While technically possible if you are talking about multiple bank accounts, as a transition marker, it is almost always singular. Also, watch out for the literal trap. If you tell a bank teller, "I want to withdraw money on this account," they might think you mean the specific bank account you're discussing, not "for this reason." Use from this account for banking!

You might hear on that account as well. It is very similar, but on that account often refers to a specific concern someone else raised. For example: "You're worried about the cost? Well, on that account, we offer a payment plan." Other synonyms include for this reason, consequently, and therefore. If you want to sound even more formal, you could use on these grounds. In modern legal settings, you might hear on this basis. However, on this account has a slightly more narrative feel, as if you are concluding a story or a report. In British English, you might occasionally hear on this score, which is a bit more idiomatic and slightly less formal but serves a similar purpose.

Is on this account the same as on account of? No. On account of means 'because of' and is followed by a noun. On this account is a transition used to start a new sentence that connects to a previous one. Can I use it in a text message? Only if you are trying to be funny or sounding intentionally dramatic. It is usually too formal for texting. Does 'account' mean a bank account here? No, in this context, 'account' means an explanation or a statement of facts. Is it common in American English? Yes, though it is more frequent in academic and professional writing than in everyday speech. Is it better than therefore? Not necessarily better, but it sounds more sophisticated and specific to the 'reason' you just gave. It adds variety to your writing.