Relation, Standard & Standpoint: を問わず vs にかかわらず, にとって vs にしたら
Sixteen patterns in four sub-groups: irrelevance, basis, viewpoint, and medium. Most confusion happens inside a group, so learn the groups first and the contrasts second.
The patterns
を問わず
regardless of (usually a binary pair: male/female, day/night)
男女を問わず、応募できる。
Anyone can apply regardless of gender.
にかかわらず
regardless of (wider range, can take clauses)
天気にかかわらず、試合は行われる。
The match goes ahead regardless of the weather.
はともかく
setting ~ aside for now
値段はともかく、味はとてもいい。
Price aside, the taste is excellent.
に応じて
in accordance with (varies as the condition varies)
収入に応じて税金が変わる。
Tax changes according to income.
に沿って
along / in line with (a fixed route or policy)
計画に沿って進める。
We proceed in line with the plan.
を踏まえて
taking ~ into account (past facts, lessons)
これまでの結果を踏まえて、計画を見直す。
We revise the plan taking past results into account.
をもとに
based on (as source material)
実話をもとにした映画。
A film based on a true story.
に基づいて
on the basis of (formal, laws and rules)
法律に基づいて判断する。
A judgement made on the basis of the law.
によると／によれば
according to (citing a source)
天気予報によると、明日は雨だ。
According to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
からして
judging even from ~ (one telling example reveals the whole)
あの態度からして、彼はやる気がない。
Judging from that attitude alone, he has no motivation.
からすると／からいうと
from the standpoint of
専門家からすると、この方法は危険だ。
From an expert standpoint, this method is dangerous.
にとって
for ~ (evaluating something for someone)
子供にとって、これは難しい。
For a child, this is difficult.
にしたら／にすれば
from ~ 's point of view (empathising with their feelings)
彼にしたら、それは屈辱的だろう。
From his point of view, that must be humiliating.
を通して／を通じて
through (a medium or channel)
友達を通じて紹介された。
I was introduced through a friend.
Decision procedure
Which sub-group is it?
Commonly confused
を問わず vs にかかわらず
Very close. を問わず almost always takes a noun forming a binary pair (男女, 昼夜, 経験の有無). にかかわらず accepts a much wider range, including clauses.
に応じて vs に沿って
に応じて = output varies as the input varies (tax scales with income). に沿って = follow a fixed line without deviating (proceed along the plan).
にとって vs にしたら
にとって evaluates objectively whether something is hard/useful *for* someone. にしたら asks you to step into their shoes and feel what they feel.
を踏まえて vs をもとに vs に基づいて
All three mean "based on", but を踏まえて usually means weighing past facts or lessons, をもとに means using something as source material, and に基づいて is the most formal, typical of laws and regulations.