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In Regard vs In Regards — What’s the Difference?

In regard to means concerning or about a specific topic. In regards to is a common but grammatically disputed variant that many style guides consider incorrect. The key difference: in regard to (singular) is the standard, accepted form in formal writing, while in regards to (plural) is widely used in everyday speech but draws criticism from editors and grammarians. Millions of English speakers unknowingly add that extra s, which can undermine the polish of professional correspondence.

What Does “In Regard To” Mean?

The phrase in regard to functions as a compound preposition meaning “concerning,” “about,” or “with reference to.” It has been part of standard English for centuries and appears in business correspondence, legal briefs, and academic papers. The word regard here is a singular noun meaning “reference” or “relation,” which is why no s is needed.

Major style guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style, Garner’s Modern English Usage, and the AP Stylebook, all endorse in regard to as the correct form. Bryan Garner rates in regards to as a Stage 2 error on his Language-Change Index, meaning it is widely used but not yet accepted by careful writers.

In practice, in regard to often works best when replaced by simpler alternatives. Words like regarding, concerning, or even plain about are shorter and more direct. Still, when the full phrase is needed for tone or emphasis, the singular form is the one that keeps your writing above reproach.

The phrase also appears in the variant with regard to, which follows the same singular rule and is equally correct. Both in regard to and with regard to function identically, though with regard to is slightly more common in British English. Regardless of which preposition opens the phrase, the noun regard stays singular when the meaning is “concerning.”

What Does “In Regards To” Mean?

The phrase in regards to carries the same intended meaning as in regard to: it signals that the writer or speaker is about to address a particular subject. However, the added s makes it a disputed form. Many grammarians argue that it confuses two separate expressions: in regard to (concerning) and as regards (also meaning concerning).

The blending of these two phrases is called a malaphor or a conflation. Over time, the plural version has gained ground, especially in American spoken English. Google Ngram data shows in regards to climbing in frequency since the 1980s, which suggests a slow shift in usage. Some linguists accept this as natural language evolution.

That said, using in regards to in a job application, academic paper, or legal filing can signal carelessness to a reader who knows the traditional rule. If your audience includes editors, professors, or hiring managers, the singular form is the safer choice. In casual conversation or informal emails, the distinction matters far less.

Key Differences Between In Regard and In Regards

The core difference comes down to grammar and convention rather than meaning. Both phrases point to the same idea, but they differ in acceptance, formality, and perceived correctness.

Grammar. In the standard phrase, regard is a singular noun functioning within a fixed prepositional expression. Adding s turns it into either a plural noun or a verb form, neither of which fits the grammatical structure that the phrase originally carried. The expression as regards does use the plural, but that is a different construction entirely, where regards acts as a verb meaning “concerns.”

Formality. In regard to belongs to the formal register. It appears in contracts, official memos, and scholarly articles. In regards to is more common in speech, text messages, and casual writing. Choosing the wrong register can create a mismatch between your tone and your audience’s expectations.

Style guide consensus. Every major English style guide that addresses this pair favors the singular. Garner’s Modern English Usage, Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage, and the AP Stylebook all recommend in regard to or suggest replacing the phrase with a simpler preposition like about or regarding.

Regional variation. In American English, in regards to appears frequently in speech. British English speakers tend to use with regard to or as regards instead. Neither British nor American guides endorse in regards to for formal writing.

In Regard vs In Regards — Examples in Context

Correct: I am writing in regard to the open position in your marketing department.

Incorrect: I am writing in regards to the open position in your marketing department.

Correct: The committee made several recommendations in regard to campus safety.

Incorrect: The committee made several recommendations in regards to campus safety.

Correct: In regard to your question about deadlines, the final date is June 15.

Incorrect: In regards to your question about deadlines, the final date is June 15.

Correct: She had nothing further to say in regard to the lawsuit.

Incorrect: She had nothing further to say in regards to the lawsuit.

Correct: With regard to your invoice, the payment has been processed.

Incorrect: With regards to your invoice, the payment has been processed.

Also correct: Please send all inquiries regarding the conference to the organizing team. (A simpler alternative.)

Also correct: As regards the budget, we need to cut expenses by 10 percent. (A different, valid construction using the plural verb.)

Correct: The board has no policy in regard to remote work for contractors.

Incorrect: The board has no policy in regards to remote work for contractors.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is adding an s to regard in the phrase in regard to. This happens because speakers conflate two valid expressions: in regard to and as regards. The result, in regards to, borrows the s from one and the structure from the other.

Another common mistake is using with regards to instead of with regard to. The same rule applies: when the phrase means “concerning,” keep regard singular. The plural regards is correct only when it means “good wishes,” as in “Give my regards to your family.”

A third pitfall is overusing these phrases entirely. Sentences like “In regard to the matter of scheduling, we need to discuss the issue” are wordy. Simply write “About scheduling, we need to talk.” Replace in regard to with about, regarding, or concerning whenever a shorter word works. Tools like BeLikeNative’s grammar checker can flag these wordy constructions automatically.

One additional mistake worth noting: some writers use “irregardless” as a synonym for “in regard to” or “regardless.” While “irregardless” appears in some dictionaries as a nonstandard entry, it is widely considered an error in formal writing. The standard word is simply “regardless.” Confusing “in regard to” with “irregardless” compounds two common mistakes into one, so keeping these expressions distinct is essential for polished prose.

Quick Memory Trick

Think of it this way: one regard, one topic. When you write “in regard to,” you are referring to one specific subject, so you need only one regard, with no plural s. Save the s for when you are sending good wishes: “Best regards.” If the phrase means “concerning,” drop the s every time.

Related Confused Word Pairs

If you found this comparison helpful, you might also want to explore these commonly confused expressions:

• Any Way vs Anyway — another pair where spacing and spelling change the meaning.
• Fewer vs Less — a classic grammar distinction that trips up even experienced writers.
• Migration vs Immigration — two related words with distinct meanings in policy and everyday use.

FAQ

Is “in regards to” grammatically wrong?
Most style guides consider it nonstandard. While it is widely used in speech and informal writing, in regard to (singular) is the form recommended by The Chicago Manual of Style, Garner’s Modern English Usage, and the AP Stylebook.

Can I use “as regards” instead?
Yes. As regards is a separate, grammatically correct expression where regards functions as a verb meaning “concerns.” It is perfectly acceptable in formal writing.

What is the simplest replacement for “in regard to”?
The word about works in most contexts. Regarding and concerning are also good substitutes that keep your sentences concise.

Is “with regards to” correct?
No. Like in regards to, the phrase with regards to adds an unnecessary plural s. Use with regard to when you need the full phrase.

Does “in regards to” appear in any dictionary?
Some dictionaries list it as a variant, noting that it is common in informal American English. However, listing a form does not equal endorsing it for formal use. When precision matters, stick with the singular.