If you’ve ever paused while writing an email, report, or essay and wondered whether to write with regard to or with regards to, you’re not alone.
These two expressions look almost identical, yet one is far more widely accepted in formal English than the other.
The confusion often comes from everyday conversation, where people naturally add an s to regard.
Because both phrases are commonly heard, many writers assume they are equally correct. In reality, professional editors, style guides, and business writers strongly prefer one expression in most situations.
Choosing the right phrase matters because it affects the tone and credibility of your writing.
Whether you’re drafting a business email, writing an academic paper, preparing a legal document, or simply sending a message to a colleague, using the standard expression helps your writing sound polished and professional.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between with regard to or with regards to, when each phrase is appropriate, why one is preferred in formal English, and how to avoid one of the most common writing mistakes.
Quick Answer
✅ With regard to is the standard and preferred expression in modern English.
✅ With regards to appears in informal speech and some regional varieties of English, but many editors and major style guides consider it less appropriate for formal writing.
Best practice: Use with regard to in business writing, academic papers, legal documents, professional emails, and formal communication.
Comparison Table: With Regard To or With Regards To
| Feature | With Regard To | With Regards To |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical status | Standard | Less standard |
| Formality | Highly formal | Usually informal or non-standard |
| Meaning | Concerning or about | Concerning or about |
| Preferred by editors | Yes | Usually no |
| Business writing | Recommended | Usually avoided |
| Academic writing | Recommended | Not recommended |
| Legal writing | Recommended | Rarely used |
| Everyday conversation | Common | Sometimes heard |
| AP Style compatibility | Preferred | Avoid |
| Chicago style compatibility | Preferred | Avoid unless quoted |
| Naturalness | Very natural | Less natural |
| Best choice | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually no |
Quick Tip: If you’re unsure which phrase to choose, with regard to is almost always the safest option.
Why Do People Confuse “With Regard To” and “With Regards To”?
These two expressions differ by only one letter—the s at the end of regard. That tiny difference makes them look interchangeable, but English doesn’t always work that way.
Several factors contribute to the confusion.
They Mean the Same Thing
Both expressions introduce a topic.
For example:
- With regard to your application…
- With regards to your application…
Both tell the reader what the following information is about.
Because the meaning remains the same, many people assume both are equally acceptable.
Everyday Speech Influences Writing
In casual conversation, people often say with regards to without thinking about grammar or style.
When those same speakers begin writing formal documents, they naturally carry the spoken version into their writing.
Professional editors, however, usually remove the extra s.
Similar Expressions Exist
English contains many expressions that use the plural form regards.
Examples include:
- Best regards
- Kind regards
- Give my regards
- Send my regards
Since these phrases are extremely common, writers sometimes assume with regards to follows the same pattern.
It doesn’t.
The plural regards in greetings has a different grammatical function from the singular regard in the phrase with regard to.
What Does “With Regard To” Mean?
With regard to means:
- Concerning
- About
- Regarding
- In relation to
- As for
It introduces the subject that the speaker or writer wants to discuss.
Pronunciation
with ri-GARD to
The stress falls naturally on guard.
Grammar
This expression functions as a prepositional phrase.
It connects one idea to another by introducing the topic under discussion.
Example:
With regard to your request, we have approved the proposal.
The phrase tells readers what the sentence is about.
Origin of “With Regard To”
The noun regard comes from Old French regarder, meaning to look at, to pay attention to, or to consider.
Over time, English speakers began using regard to mean attention, consideration, or reference.
Eventually, the phrase with regard to developed to mean in reference to or concerning.
This usage has remained stable for centuries and continues to be accepted across modern English.
Professional Use
You’ll frequently see with regard to in:
- Business reports
- Contracts
- Government documents
- Academic journals
- Legal writing
- Company policies
- Formal emails
Examples:
- With regard to the new policy, all employees must complete training.
- We have received your inquiry with regard to product availability.
- With regard to your invoice, payment has been processed.
Academic Use
Researchers and university writers regularly use the phrase because it sounds precise and formal.
Examples:
- With regard to the research findings, several conclusions can be drawn.
- The study offers important insights with regard to climate change.
- Students showed improvement with regard to reading comprehension.
Everyday Use
Although slightly formal, people still use with regard to in everyday communication.
Examples:
- With regard to dinner, let’s order pizza.
- With regard to tomorrow’s plans, I’m available after lunch.
- With regard to the trip, everyone has confirmed.
Original Examples
- With regard to your order, shipping begins tomorrow.
- We have several updates with regard to the meeting.
- She asked a question with regard to tuition fees.
- The manager spoke with regard to workplace safety.
- There are no changes with regard to your appointment.
- I’d like to clarify one point with regard to the contract.
- With regard to customer service, improvements are underway.
- Our team has concerns with regard to the deadline.
- The report contains recommendations with regard to energy use.
- With regard to your email, thank you for your patience.
Common Mistakes
❌ With regards to your application, we need more information.
✅ With regard to your application, we need more information.
❌ The report discusses several issues with regards to education.
✅ The report discusses several issues with regard to education.
❌ Please contact us with regards to billing.
✅ Please contact us with regard to billing.
Expert Tip
Whenever you need a formal alternative to about or concerning, choose with regard to.
It is the version preferred by professional writers, editors, publishers, and most major English style guides.
What Does “With Regards To” Mean?
With regards to is a phrase that also means about, concerning, or in relation to. Although many native English speakers use it in conversation and informal writing, it is generally not the preferred choice in formal English.
The phrase became popular through everyday speech rather than strict grammatical convention. Because people are familiar with expressions like best regards, kind regards, and send my regards, they sometimes extend that plural form to with regards to. While this usage is common in some regions and workplaces, many editors still recommend using the singular with regard to instead.
Pronunciation
with ri-GARDZ to
The plural ending creates a slightly different sound, but the overall pronunciation remains similar.
Grammar
Like with regard to, this phrase functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the topic of a sentence.
However, the plural noun regards is what makes many grammar experts question the expression in formal writing. The traditional idiom is with regard to, and adding an s is generally considered unnecessary.
Where You May Hear “With Regards To”
You may come across with regards to in:
- Casual conversations
- Informal emails
- Workplace chats
- Online forums
- Social media posts
- Regional English varieties
Although many people use it naturally, professional editors often revise it to with regard to before publication.
Examples in Informal Contexts
- With regards to tonight’s game, I’ll be there around seven.
- I wanted to ask you something with regards to the party.
- With regards to your message, thanks for letting me know.
- She had a question with regards to the schedule.
- We’re still waiting for updates with regards to the project.
These sentences communicate the intended meaning, but in professional writing, replacing with regards to with with regard to is usually the better choice.
Why Many Editors Avoid It
Most respected style guides and editorial standards favor with regard to because it is the established idiomatic expression.
Reasons include:
- It is grammatically conventional.
- It appears more frequently in published writing.
- It sounds cleaner and more formal.
- It aligns with business, academic, and legal writing standards.
For these reasons, copy editors often replace with regards to during proofreading.
Can “With Regards To” Ever Be Acceptable?
Yes—but context matters.
You may choose with regards to when:
- Writing dialogue where you want characters to sound natural.
- Quoting someone’s exact words.
- Reflecting a speaker’s regional or personal style.
- Writing very informal messages where strict editing is unnecessary.
Even in these situations, with regard to remains a perfectly acceptable alternative.
Editor’s Note: If you’re writing for publication, assume that with regard to is the preferred option unless a specific house style says otherwise.
Is “With Regards To” Grammatically Wrong?
Not exactly.
Calling it completely wrong would oversimplify the issue.
A more accurate description is:
- It is widely used.
- It is understood by native speakers.
- It appears in informal communication.
- It is less preferred in edited English.
This distinction is important because English often includes expressions that are common in speech but less desirable in formal writing.
If your goal is polished, professional English, with regard to is the safer choice.
Why Is “With Regard To” Preferred?
The preference comes from long-established usage rather than a strict grammatical rule.
Over centuries, with regard to became the accepted idiomatic expression for introducing a topic. Major dictionaries, editorial teams, publishers, and educational institutions continue to treat it as the standard form.
Professional writers value consistency, and with regard to has become the conventional choice across many types of writing.
You’ll commonly find it in:
- Academic articles
- Government publications
- Legal documents
- Corporate communications
- Professional reports
- Newspapers
- Books
- University writing
Because readers expect this form, using it helps your writing appear more polished and authoritative.
Key Differences Between “With Regard To” and “With Regards To”
Here are the main distinctions you should remember:
- With regard to is the standard expression.
- With regards to is a common but less formal variation.
- Both phrases mean about or concerning.
- Only with regard to is consistently recommended for professional writing.
- Editors often replace with regards to during proofreading.
- Academic institutions overwhelmingly favor with regard to.
- Business communication almost always uses with regard to.
- Neither phrase changes the meaning of a sentence.
- The difference is one of style, convention, and formality rather than meaning.
Grammar Explanation
Understanding the grammar behind these expressions makes it easier to remember which one to use.
Parts of Speech
In with regard to:
- with — preposition
- regard — noun
- to — preposition
Together, they form a fixed prepositional phrase meaning concerning or about.
The phrase functions as a single grammatical unit.
Example:
With regard to your complaint, we have completed our investigation.
Why the Singular Noun Matters
The noun regard represents consideration, attention, or reference.
In this idiomatic expression, English traditionally uses the singular noun.
Adding s changes the phrase without improving its meaning.
That’s why editors usually prefer the original form.
Formal vs. Informal English
| Formal English | Informal English |
|---|---|
| With regard to | With regards to |
| Regarding | About |
| Concerning | As for |
When writing professionally, choose one of the formal alternatives.
American English vs. British English
This question often surprises learners.
Unlike spellings such as color/colour or organize/organise, this is not primarily a US vs. UK issue.
Both American and British English generally prefer with regard to in formal writing.
You may hear with regards to in both countries, but it is usually viewed as conversational rather than editorial.
AP Style
Associated Press style favors concise, standard English.
Editors following AP Style typically use with regard to or simplify the sentence by replacing it with about when appropriate.
Example:
Instead of:
With regard to tomorrow’s meeting…
AP writers may simply write:
About tomorrow’s meeting…
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style also treats with regard to as the conventional expression.
Professional editors following Chicago generally avoid with regards to unless preserving quoted speech.
Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster Usage
Major dictionaries recognize regard as meaning attention, consideration, or reference, supporting the long-established expression with regard to.
Although you may encounter with regards to in real-world usage, dictionary examples and edited publications overwhelmingly favor the singular form.
When Should You Use “With Regard To”?
Choose with regard to when writing:
- Business emails
- Academic essays
- Research papers
- University assignments
- Legal contracts
- Government correspondence
- Professional reports
- Cover letters
- Job applications
- Customer service responses
- Corporate policies
- Official announcements
If your audience expects polished English, this is the safest and most professional option.
When Might “With Regards To” Be Acceptable?
Although less preferred, you may see or hear it in:
- Friendly emails
- Casual workplace conversations
- Text messages
- Online discussions
- Personal blogs
- Fictional dialogue
- Informal social media posts
Even here, switching to with regard to will never sound incorrect.
Quick Summary
Use “with regard to” whenever accuracy, professionalism, and clarity matter. Reserve “with regards to” for informal or quoted contexts, if at all.
Real-Life Examples of With Regard To or With Regards To
The easiest way to master these expressions is to see them in real-life situations. The examples below show how with regard to is the preferred choice in formal writing while with regards to occasionally appears in informal communication.
Business Examples
✅ Correct
- With regard to your invoice, payment will be processed tomorrow.
- We would like to clarify a few points with regard to the new contract.
- Please contact the finance department with regard to reimbursement.
- With regard to the upcoming project, all deadlines remain unchanged.
⚠️ Less Preferred
- With regards to your invoice, payment will be processed tomorrow.
Email Examples
Professional Email
Dear Sarah,
With regard to your request, we have approved the proposed changes.
Please let us know if you require any further assistance.
Best regards,
Customer Support
Thank you for contacting us.
With regard to your order, your replacement item has already been shipped.
Academic Writing Examples
- The researcher presented additional evidence with regard to climate change.
- The report provides recommendations with regard to educational policy.
- Several studies have reached similar conclusions with regard to public health.
- Students demonstrated significant improvement with regard to reading comprehension.
Workplace Examples
- We need another meeting with regard to the marketing strategy.
- The manager spoke with regard to employee safety.
- There are no updates with regard to this issue.
- Please submit your feedback with regard to the proposed changes.
Everyday Conversation
Although with regard to sounds slightly formal, it is still perfectly natural.
- With regard to dinner, I’m happy with either restaurant.
- With regard to our vacation, have you booked the hotel?
- With regard to tomorrow’s plans, I’ll arrive around ten.
- We still need to decide something with regard to transportation.
Social Media Examples
- Quick update with regard to today’s livestream—it starts at 8 PM.
- With regard to yesterday’s announcement, thank you for all your support.
- We have exciting news with regard to our next giveaway.
Text Message Examples
- Hey! With regard to tonight, I’m running about fifteen minutes late.
- Just checking in with regard to our lunch plans.
- With regard to your question, yes, I’ll bring the tickets.
Professional Writing Examples
- The committee reached a unanimous decision with regard to the proposal.
- New regulations have been introduced with regard to workplace safety.
- The agreement includes several provisions with regard to intellectual property.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Many writers make small but noticeable errors when using these phrases. Here’s how to avoid them.
| Incorrect | Why It’s Wrong | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| With regards to your application… | Less preferred in formal writing | With regard to your application… |
| I have a question with regards to this report. | Standard English prefers the singular form | I have a question with regard to this report. |
| Regarding to the meeting… | “Regarding” does not take “to” | Regarding the meeting… |
| In regards to your request… | Informal and widely discouraged in formal writing | In regard to your request… or With regard to your request… |
| With regard about the project… | Incorrect preposition | With regard to the project… |
Warning: Avoid mixing prepositions. The correct expression is with regard to, not with regard about or regarding to.
Better Alternatives to “With Regard To”
Sometimes, a shorter phrase makes your writing smoother. Depending on the context, you can use:
- About
- Regarding
- Concerning
- As for
- Relating to
- In connection with
- In relation to
- On the subject of
- Pertaining to
- As it relates to
Examples
Instead of:
With regard to your request…
You could write:
- Regarding your request…
- About your request…
- Concerning your request…
- As for your request…
These alternatives are especially useful when you want a more natural writing style.
Memory Tricks
Remembering the correct phrase doesn’t have to be difficult.
Trick 1: Think Singular
The standard expression uses one regard, not many.
✅ With regard to
❌ With regards to
Trick 2: Match Professional Writing
If you’re writing something your boss, teacher, professor, or client will read, automatically choose:
With regard to
Trick 3: Remember Greetings
Use regards only in greetings.
Examples:
- Best regards
- Kind regards
- Warm regards
- Give my regards
But when introducing a topic, use:
With regard to
Trick 4: Replace It with “About”
If about fits naturally, then with regard to probably does too.
Example:
About your application…
↓
With regard to your application…
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “with regard to” or “with regards to” correct?
Both are understood, but with regard to is the standard and preferred expression in formal English. It is the version recommended for professional, academic, and business writing.
Is “with regards to” grammatically incorrect?
Not completely. It appears in everyday speech and informal writing, but many editors consider it less standard and replace it with with regard to.
Which phrase should I use in a business email?
Always choose with regard to. It sounds more professional and aligns with common editorial standards.
Is there a difference in meaning?
No. Both expressions mean about, concerning, or in relation to. The difference lies in usage and formality rather than meaning.
Do American and British English use different versions?
No. Both American English and British English generally prefer with regard to in formal writing. The variation is not primarily regional.
Can I replace “with regard to” with “regarding”?
Yes. In many cases, regarding is a shorter and more natural alternative.
Example:
- Regarding your application…
- With regard to your application…
Both are correct.
Is “in regards to” correct?
In regards to is another common variation that many editors discourage in formal writing.
For professional communication, use:
- In regard to
- With regard to
- Regarding
What do style guides recommend?
Most professional editors and widely used style guides prefer with regard to because it is the traditional and standard expression.
Final Verdict
If you’re deciding between with regard to or with regards to, the safest and most professional choice is clear.
Use “with regard to.”
It is the standard expression found in business communication, academic writing, legal documents, government publications, and professionally edited content.
It sounds polished, reads naturally, and meets the expectations of most readers and editors.
While with regards to is widely understood and often heard in casual conversation, it is generally considered less formal and less suitable for polished writing.
Many copy editors automatically change it to with regard to during the editing process.
Ghulam Qamar is an English grammar writer and language enthusiast dedicated to simplifying complex grammar concepts. He creates clear, practical, and beginner-friendly content that helps learners improve their English writing, speaking, and communication skills.
