With Regard to or With Regards To: Learn the Correct Grammar Rule

Have you ever paused while writing an email and wondered whether with regard to or with regards to is correct? 🤔 You are not alone. These phrases look almost identical, but standard formal English treats them differently. One is the usual correct form when you mean “about” or “concerning.” The other is generally considered nonstandard when used with that meaning.

This small grammar choice can matter in emails, reports, school assignments, business letters, and professional content. I have seen writers make this mistake even when the rest of their sentence was excellent. The problem is easy to understand: the word regards is common in phrases such as “give my regards,” so adding the extra s can feel natural.

The good news is that the rule is simple. Once you understand why with regard to or with regards to causes confusion, you can avoid the mistake almost every time.

In this guide, I will explain the difference, show correct and incorrect examples, and give you easy ways to remember the rule. ✨ Innate vs Enate | Zeroes or Zeros | Anywhere or Any Where

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🎯 Quick Answer: With Regard to or With Regards To

With regard to or with regards to has one standard choice for formal writing: with regard to. It means “about,” “concerning,” or “in relation to” something.

With regards to is widely used in everyday speech and informal writing, but it is generally treated as nonstandard when it is intended to mean “about.”

Expression	Standard use?	Meaning	Example
with regard to	✅ Yes	About or concerning	With regard to your request, we will respond soon.
with regards to	❌ Generally nonstandard for this meaning	Intended to mean about	With regards to your request, we will respond soon.
regards	✅ Yes in other uses	Good wishes or respect	Please give my regards to your family.
regard	✅ Yes	Consideration, attention, or respect	We have great regard for her work.

Quick rule: When the phrase means “about” or “concerning,” use “with regard to.”

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🔎 Is With Regard to the Same as With Regards To?

No. With regard to is the standard form for introducing a topic or subject. With regards to is a common variation, but it is not the preferred standard form in careful formal English.

The confusion comes from the noun regard. It can appear in both singular and plural forms, but the fixed phrase with regard to uses the singular form.

Consider these examples:

• ✅ With regard to your application, we need one more document.
• ❌ With regards to your application, we need one more document.

Both sentences are easy to understand. The difference is grammatical convention, not meaning.

When I teach this point, I tell students to replace the phrase with “about.” If the sentence still makes sense, choose with regard to.

With regard to the meeting, I have one question.
About the meeting, I have one question.

The substitution works perfectly.

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📝 With Regard to vs With Regards To at a Glance

The core difference is simple: with regard to is the established phrase, while with regards to adds an unnecessary plural ending when the phrase means “concerning.”

Form	Type	Meaning	Example	Correct/Incorrect
with regard to	Fixed phrase	About; concerning	With regard to your payment, please contact us.	✅ Correct
with regards to	Nonstandard variant in this use	About; concerning	With regards to your payment, please contact us.	❌ Avoid
regard	Singular noun	Respect, attention, consideration	I have great regard for her judgment.	✅ Correct
regards	Plural noun	Good wishes or respectful greetings	Give my regards to your parents.	✅ Correct
in regard to	Fixed phrase	About; concerning	In regard to the contract, we need clarification.	✅ Correct

The key point is that regard and regards can both be correct words. The issue is how they function inside the particular phrase.

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💡 Why Do People Confuse With Regard to and With Regards To?

People confuse these expressions because regards is a perfectly normal English word in other contexts. The plural form appears in phrases such as “best regards” and “give my regards.”

I once reviewed a business email in which a writer used “with regards to” several times. The writer knew exactly what the sentence meant. The problem came from mixing two familiar expressions: with regard to and best regards.

That kind of mix-up is very common when people write quickly.

Here are the main reasons:

• “Best regards” is very familiar.
• “With regards to” sounds natural in conversation.
• The extra s is easy to type.
• Autocorrect may not flag it.
• Writers may hear the phrase more often than they see it in edited text.
• Some speakers use the plural version regularly.

The simple fix

Think of these as two separate expressions:

with regard to = about

best regards = a polite closing

Do not combine them into with regards to when you want formal standard English.

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📚 What Does With Regard To Mean?

With regard to means about, concerning, or in relation to a particular subject.

It is often used when the writer wants to shift attention to a specific topic. The phrase is especially common in formal writing, business communication, academic work, and official notices.

Example 1

With regard to your recent complaint, we have reviewed the matter.

Breakdown:

• with regard to = concerning
• your recent complaint = the topic
• we have reviewed the matter = the main statement

The sentence could also say:

Regarding your recent complaint, we have reviewed the matter.

Or:

We have reviewed your recent complaint.

The original phrase is correct, but it can sometimes sound more formal than necessary.

Example 2

With regard to the new schedule, employees should check their email.

Here, the phrase tells readers exactly what topic the sentence concerns.

Meaning summary

Meaning	Word Type	Example Sentence
About	Fixed phrase	With regard to your question, I have an answer.
Concerning	Fixed phrase	With regard to the contract, we need more time.
In relation to	Fixed phrase	With regard to safety, the company has new rules.
On the subject of	Fixed phrase	With regard to the project, several changes are planned.

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✅ When Should You Use With Regard To?

Use with regard to when you want to introduce a subject, issue, question, request, or matter.

It works especially well in professional and formal writing.

Professional emails

With regard to your email, I have attached the requested file.

Workplace communication

With regard to the meeting, please arrive ten minutes early.

Academic writing

With regard to this argument, the evidence remains limited.

Customer service

With regard to your order, the package has now been shipped.

General writing

With regard to your question, the answer depends on the situation.

In each example, you could replace the phrase with about or concerning.

That is one of the easiest ways to check your sentence.

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❌ When Should You Avoid With Regards To?

Avoid with regards to when you are using the phrase to mean “about” or “concerning,” especially in formal or edited writing.

Compare these examples:

• ✅ With regard to your request, we will respond tomorrow.
• ❌ With regards to your request, we will respond tomorrow.
• ✅ With regard to the policy, we need further clarification.
• ❌ With regards to the policy, we need further clarification.
• ✅ With regard to payment, please contact our office.
• ❌ With regards to payment, please contact our office.

The incorrect versions are understandable. They simply use the nonpreferred form.

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🎯 Test Tip: Replace It With “About”

Here is my favorite test.

Whenever you are unsure about with regard to or with regards to, replace the phrase with about.

For example:

With regard to your application, we need more information.

Replace it:

About your application, we need more information.

The meaning is clear.

Now look at:

With regards to your application, we need more information.

The phrase still means “about,” so the standard form should be with regard to.

Easy memory trick

Think:

One topic → one regard.

That is not a full grammar rule by itself, but it is a useful memory aid.

If you mean…	Use…
About	with regard to
Concerning	with regard to
In relation to	with regard to
Good wishes	regards
Respect or consideration	regard

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🏢 Case Study: A Workplace Email

Imagine that a manager receives this email:

With regards to the new project schedule, I have attached my comments.

The meaning is clear. However, the manager is preparing a formal report and wants polished standard English.

A better version is:

With regard to the new project schedule, I have attached my comments.

An even shorter version may be:

Regarding the new project schedule, I have attached my comments.

This example shows something important. Correct grammar does not always mean using the longest or most formal phrase.

Sometimes regarding is cleaner.

Three good choices

Version	Style	Best Use
With regard to the new schedule…	Formal	Official or professional writing
Regarding the new schedule…	Neutral and concise	Most everyday professional writing
About the new schedule…	Simple	Casual communication

All three communicate the same basic idea.

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📖 Grammar Rules Explanation

The standard phrase is with regard to, not with regards to, when the phrase means “about” or “concerning.”

The reason is that with regard to functions as an established fixed expression. The noun regard remains singular in this phrase.

The plural noun regards has legitimate uses elsewhere. For example:

Please give my regards to your brother.

Here, regards means good wishes or respectful greetings. It is not part of the phrase meaning “about.”

This distinction explains the problem.

Compare:

With regard to the issue…
= concerning the issue

Give my regards to Sarah.
= give Sarah my good wishes

The two uses should not be blended.

Standard English reference works and major dictionaries generally recognize the normal phrase with regard to for this meaning. The important point is the usage pattern rather than memorizing a complicated rule.

Correct vs Incorrect at a Glance

Sentence	Correct/Incorrect	Why
With regard to your question, I agree.	✅ Correct	Standard fixed phrase
With regards to your question, I agree.	❌ Avoid	Nonstandard variant for “about”
Please give my regards to your mother.	✅ Correct	“Regards” means good wishes
We have great regard for his work.	✅ Correct	“Regard” is a noun meaning respect
With regards to the report, please call me.	❌ Avoid	Use “with regard to”

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⚠️ Common Mistakes With Regard to and With Regards To

The biggest mistake is adding the s because the phrase sounds familiar.

Here are the most common causes:

1. Fast typing

When people type quickly, they often write the form they have heard most often.

2. Autocorrect

Grammar software may not always identify the issue because with regards to is understandable and widely used.

3. Lack of knowledge

Some writers simply have never learned that the standard form is singular.

4. Mixing expressions

People may combine with regard to with best regards.

5. Speech influence

Informal spoken English often contains forms that are less preferred in formal writing.

I once caught myself typing with regards to in a draft email. I had just written “best regards” in another message, so the plural form was fresh in my mind. I corrected it before sending the email.

Similar Grammar Confusions

Common Confusion	Correct Form	Basic Rule
it’s / its	depends on meaning	“It’s” = it is; “its” = possession
your / you’re	depends on meaning	“Your” shows possession; “you’re” = you are
their / they’re	depends on meaning	“Their” shows possession; “they’re” = they are
affect / effect	depends on use	Usually verb vs noun
then / than	depends on meaning	“Than” for comparison; “then” for time/order

Specific Wrong Forms

Wrong Form	What’s Wrong	Correct Form
with regards to	Extra plural ending	with regard to
with regard too	“Too” is the wrong word	with regard to
with regard too the	Wrong word and spelling	with regard to the
with regards too	Two errors	with regard to
with regards of	Wrong structure	with regard to
with regard for	Different structure and meaning	with regard to

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🧠 How To Remember the Difference

The easiest memory trick is to connect with regard to with the word regarding.

Both can mean:

about

For example:

With regard to the meeting, I have a question.

Regarding the meeting, I have a question.

You can also remember the phrase as one complete unit:

with + regard + to

Do not break the pattern by adding s.

Another useful trick is to separate it from best regards.

Best regards belongs at the end of an email.

With regard to introduces a subject.

Quick memory chart

Phrase	Function
with regard to	Introduces a topic
regarding	Introduces a topic
about	Introduces a topic
best regards	Email closing
give my regards	Send good wishes
have regard for	Show respect or consideration

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🌎 With Regard To in Different Contexts

With regard to is grammatically appropriate in many settings, but it can sound formal. The best choice depends on your audience.

Context	Which Term to Use	Example
Everyday conversation	about	What did you decide about the trip?
Professional writing	with regard to / regarding	With regard to the contract, we need changes.
Creative writing	about / regarding	She wondered about the strange letter.
Social media/texting	about	What do you think about this?

Everyday conversation

In normal conversation, about is often more natural.

Instead of:

With regard to your weekend plans, what are you doing?

Say:

What are you doing this weekend?

Or:

What are your plans for the weekend?

Professional writing

The phrase can work well in a formal email.

With regard to your request, we will provide an update tomorrow.

Creative writing

Writers often choose simpler language because it feels more natural.

He had questions about the strange message.

Social media

Shorter language usually works better.

What do you think about the new design?

There is rarely a need for with regard to in a short social post.

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✍️ Is With Regard To Too Formal?

Sometimes, yes. With regard to is correct, but it can sound formal or businesslike.

That does not make it wrong.

For example:

With regard to your complaint, we have completed our review.

This sounds suitable for a customer-service letter.

But:

With regard to what you said yesterday, I totally agree.

This can sound stiff in casual conversation.

A simpler choice would be:

I agree with what you said yesterday.

Good writing is not just about correctness. It is also about choosing language that fits the situation.

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🔄 What Are Good Alternatives to With Regard To?

Several alternatives can replace with regard to. The best option depends on the sentence and the level of formality.

Common alternatives include:

• regarding
• about
• concerning
• in relation to
• as for

Alternatives table

Alternative	Works When	Does Not Work When
regarding	You want a concise formal option	You need a very casual tone
about	You want simple, natural English	A very formal legal style is required
concerning	You want to highlight a specific issue	The sentence needs a casual tone
in relation to	You are discussing a connection or subject	A shorter phrase would be clearer
as for	You are shifting attention to a topic	You need highly formal business language

Example

With regard to your application, we need more information.

Could become:

Regarding your application, we need more information.

Or:

We need more information about your application.

All are clear.

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💬 Common Phrases With Regard To

With regard to often appears in professional phrases. These expressions are not idioms, but they are common combinations.

Phrase	Meaning
with regard to your request	concerning your request
with regard to the matter	concerning the matter
with regard to the issue	about the issue
with regard to the policy	concerning the policy
with regard to your application	concerning your application
with regard to the contract	about the contract

Examples:

With regard to your request, we need more information.

With regard to the policy, employees should contact HR.

With regard to the contract, both sides need clarification.

These phrases are especially common in formal correspondence.

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🧩 When Is Regards Actually Correct?

Regards is correct when it has its own meaning. It is commonly used to express good wishes or respect.

For example:

Best regards,
Michael

This is a normal email closing.

Another example is:

Please give my regards to your family.

Here, regards means good wishes.

The word can also appear in other structures:

She has high regard for her teacher.

Notice the difference:

• with regard to = concerning
• regard for = respect or consideration
• best regards = polite closing
• give my regards = send good wishes

The plural form is not a bad word. It simply does not belong in the standard fixed phrase with regard to when you mean “about.”

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📱 With Regard To in Emails and Digital Communication

Email writing is one of the most common places where this issue appears.

If you are writing to a client, teacher, manager, customer, or business partner, with regard to is safe and standard.

Example

With regard to your invoice, we have confirmed that payment was received.

This is clear and professional.

However, you can often make it shorter:

Regarding your invoice, we have confirmed that payment was received.

Or:

We have confirmed receipt of your invoice payment.

The best sentence is usually the one that communicates the message clearly without unnecessary words.

Email style guide

Sentence	Style	Recommendation
With regard to your request…	Formal	✅ Good
Regarding your request…	Professional and concise	✅ Excellent
About your request…	Casual/simple	✅ Good in informal emails
With regards to your request…	Nonstandard	❌ Avoid in formal writing

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🎓 With Regard To in Academic Writing

Academic writers may use with regard to when discussing a specific topic, argument, or area of study.

For example:

With regard to language learning, practice plays an important role.

However, academic writing often benefits from direct sentences.

Instead of:

With regard to the results, it can be seen that the first group improved.

You might write:

The results show that the first group improved.

This version is shorter and stronger.

So while with regard to is correct, do not add it simply to make your writing sound academic.

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✨ With Regard To and Concise Writing

Correct grammar is only one part of good writing. Clear writing matters too.

Compare:

With regard to the fact that the meeting was canceled, we decided to leave.

This is grammatically understandable but wordy.

A better version is:

Because the meeting was canceled, we decided to leave.

Or:

The meeting was canceled, so we left.

I always encourage writers to ask one question:

Can I say this more simply without losing the meaning?

If yes, choose the simpler version.

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📊 Why Getting With Regard To Right Matters

Using the standard form helps your writing look polished. This matters most when readers expect careful grammar.

Situation	Why Getting It Right Matters
Resume or cover letter	Shows attention to language
Client email	Creates a polished impression
Published content	Supports consistent editing
Social post	Helps maintain credibility

A single grammar mistake will not usually ruin communication. But repeated small mistakes can make writing look less careful.

A useful rule is:

Clear writing earns attention. Correct writing earns trust.

The goal is not to sound complicated. The goal is to sound clear and confident.

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📝 A Second Case Study: Editing a Formal Notice

Imagine editing this workplace notice:

With regards to the office closure, employees should work remotely on Friday.

I would change it to:

With regard to the office closure, employees should work remotely on Friday.

But I might make another edit:

Regarding the office closure, employees should work remotely on Friday.

Why?

The second version is shorter. It keeps the professional tone without adding extra words.

This is a useful editing lesson. First, fix the grammar. Then, look for ways to make the sentence cleaner.

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❓ Can You Use With Regards To in Informal English?

You may encounter with regards to in informal speech and writing, and readers will usually understand it. However, if you want the safest standard form, especially in professional or academic writing, use with regard to.

Language use can vary across speakers and regions. A form may be common without being the preferred choice in formal edited English.

So the practical rule is:

Casual conversation: you may hear “with regards to.”

Formal writing: choose “with regard to.”

This approach keeps your writing on the safe side.

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🔍 Does With Regard To Mean About?

Yes. With regard to can mean about, concerning, or in relation to.

For example:

With regard to your question, the answer is no.

Means:

Regarding your question, the answer is no.

It can also mean:

About your question, the answer is no.

The first version is more formal. The second is more natural in many situations.

Phrase	Basic Meaning	Formality
with regard to	about	Formal
regarding	about	Neutral/formal
concerning	about	Formal
in relation to	about/in connection with	Formal
about	about	Neutral

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🧠 How To Avoid the Mistake Every Time

Use this three-step method.

Step 1: Ask what you mean

Do you mean:

about?

If yes, continue.

Step 2: Choose the fixed phrase

Use:

with regard to

Not:

with regards to

Step 3: Check the sentence

Replace the phrase with about.

If the meaning remains clear, your choice is probably right.

For example:

With regard to your order, we have an update.

→ About your order, we have an update.

The meaning works.

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⚡ Quick Recap Checklist

Use this checklist whenever you are unsure.

Question	If Yes → Use
Do I mean “about”?	with regard to
Do I mean “concerning”?	with regard to
Am I writing a formal email?	with regard to or regarding
Am I ending an email politely?	best regards
Am I sending good wishes?	regards
Am I showing respect?	regard for

Practice examples

1. With regard to your application, we need one more document. ✅
2. Please give my regards to your sister. ✅
3. With regards to the report, I have several questions. ❌

Remember:

Topic = regard

Good wishes = regards

That one distinction solves most problems.

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🧪 Practice: Choose the Correct Form

Try these before checking the answers.

1. ______ your request, we need more information.

Answer: with regard to ✅

2. Please give my ______ to your family.

Answer: regards ✅

3. ______ the new policy, employees should read the notice.

Answer: with regard to ✅

4. ______ your email, I have attached the document.

Answer: with regard to or regarding ✅

5. ______ the meeting, we need to change the time.

Answer: with regard to or regarding ✅

The key is to look at the job the word is doing.

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❓ FAQs About With Regard To vs With Regards To

Is “with regard to” grammatically correct?

Yes. With regard to is the standard form when you mean “about,” “concerning,” or “in relation to.”

Is “with regards to” wrong?

With regards to is widely understood and commonly used, but it is generally considered nonstandard for the meaning “about” or “concerning.” In formal writing, use with regard to instead.

Should I use “with regard to” in a formal email?

Yes. With regard to is appropriate in formal emails. However, regarding is often shorter and equally professional.

What is the difference between “with regard to” and “regarding”?

They usually mean the same thing when they introduce a topic. Regarding is shorter, while with regard to has a more formal tone.

Is “with regards to” acceptable in casual speech?

You may hear it often in casual speech, and most listeners will understand it. However, if you want standard usage, especially in writing, choose with regard to.

Is “best regards” correct?

Yes. Best regards is a standard polite closing for letters and emails.

Can I say “with regard for”?

Yes, but it has a different structure and meaning. For example, “She has great regard for her teacher” means she has great respect or consideration for her teacher.

Does “with regard to” mean “about”?

Yes. In many sentences, with regard to can be replaced by about, concerning, or regarding.

Which is better: “with regard to” or “regarding”?

Both are standard. Regarding is usually more concise. With regard to can sound slightly more formal.

How can I remember “with regard to”?

Remember this simple rule: when “regard” means “about” in this fixed phrase, keep it singular. Use with regard to. Save regards for expressions such as best regards and give my regards.

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🎯 Final Takeaway: With Regard To or With Regards To

The answer is simple: with regard to is the standard form when you mean “about,” “concerning,” or “in relation to.” The form with regards to is common enough to be familiar, but it is best avoided in careful formal writing.

The word regards is still completely correct in other expressions. You can write best regards at the end of an email. You can also say give my regards to your family. The problem comes from using that plural form inside the fixed expression that means “about.”

When you are unsure, use the about test. Replace the phrase with “about.” If that is the meaning, choose with regard to.

For everyday writing, you can also use regarding or simply about. These options often make your sentences shorter and more natural. ✨

Good grammar does not need to be complicated. Learn the fixed phrase, watch the extra s, and you will have one less common English mistake to worry about. Keep your writing clear, keep it natural, and remember: one topic, one regard. 👍