I’ve often seen in regard to and in regards to used interchangeably, but that small difference can make your writing sound either polished or slightly awkward. If you’ve ever paused while writing an email, article, or professional message and wondered which one is actually correct, you’re not alone. In this guide, I’ll explain the difference from a practical usage perspective so you can choose the right phrase with confidence.
Which one should you use?
For most formal and standard writing, in regard to is the safer choice, while in regards to is common in everyday use but generally considered less standard.
Quick Answer
In regard to is the preferred standard phrase when you mean “about” or “concerning.”
For example:
- Correct: “I am writing in regard to your application.”
- Less standard: “I am writing in regards to your application.”
For school, professional, academic, and formal writing, choose in regard to. You can also use regarding, about, or with regard to.
In Regard To vs In Regards To: Main Difference
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Correct? | Best Used For | Example |
| in regard to | about; concerning | Yes | Formal and standard writing | “I have a question in regard to the report.” |
| in regards to | about; concerning | Nonstandard in careful formal usage | Casual speech and informal usage | “He asked in regards to the schedule.” |
The important point is that regard is singular in the standard expression in regard to.
The plural regards has a different common meaning when it refers to friendly greetings or expressions of respect, as in “Please give my regards to your family.”
What Does In Regard To Mean?
In regard to means about, concerning, or with reference to something.
It introduces the subject that you are discussing.
For example:
- “I am contacting you in regard to your recent order.”
- “She asked a question in regard to the new policy.”
- “We need more information in regard to the project.”
- “The manager spoke in regard to the changes.”
- “I have some concerns in regard to the proposed plan.”
You can often replace in regard to with about or regarding without changing the basic meaning.
For example:
- “I am writing in regard to your request.”
- “I am writing about your request.”
- “I am writing regarding your request.”
The first version is correct but somewhat formal. Regarding is often shorter and more natural.
What Does In Regards To Mean?
In regards to is commonly heard and written, but it is not the preferred standard form for formal writing.
People often use it because they know the word regards from expressions such as:
- “Give my regards to your parents.”
- “Kind regards,”
- “Best regards.”
In those examples, regards is a plural noun with a different meaning. Merriam-Webster defines regards in this sense as friendly greetings.
That meaning does not make in regards to the preferred form for introducing a subject.
For careful writing, change:
- “In regards to your question…”
to:
- “In regard to your question…”
Or use:
- “Regarding your question…”
- “With regard to your question…”
How to Use In Regard To
Use in regard to when you want to introduce a topic, subject, issue, question, or matter.
A simple pattern is:
in regard to + topic
Examples:
- “I am writing in regard to your complaint.”
- “We have received new information in regard to the case.”
- “She contacted the school in regard to her child’s admission.”
- “The company made a statement in regard to the incident.”
- “I have one question in regard to the payment.”
A useful replacement test
If you can replace the phrase with about or concerning, in regard to is probably appropriate.
For example:
“I called in regard to my appointment.”
Replace it:
“I called about my appointment.”
The meaning remains clear, so in regard to works.
Do not add the “s”
In the standard phrase, write:
in regard to
Not:
in regards to
Also avoid creating combinations such as in regard with when you mean “about.”
Where to Use In Regard To
School Writing
You can use in regard to in essays, assignments, reports, and other formal school work.
Example:
“The study raises several questions in regard to environmental protection.”
However, regarding or about may sound simpler.
Formal Writing
This phrase works well in formal letters, reports, applications, and official documents.
Example:
“I am writing in regard to the position advertised last week.”
Emails
It is grammatically suitable for professional emails.
Example:
“I am contacting you in regard to the invoice sent on Monday.”
A more natural modern alternative is:
“I am contacting you regarding the invoice sent on Monday.”
Everyday Conversation
People can understand in regard to, but it may sound more formal than about.
Instead of:
“What are your thoughts in regard to the movie?”
A casual speaker would usually say:
“What do you think about the movie?”
Professional Communication
In regard to can be useful when discussing a specific issue at work.
Example:
“In regard to your request, we can provide the documents by Friday.”
For a shorter style:
“Regarding your request, we can provide the documents by Friday.”
American and British English
There is no simple American-versus-British spelling difference here.
In regard to is used in both American and British English.
The variant in regards to also appears in real English usage across different varieties of English, including American and British English. However, it is still safer to use in regard to in formal or carefully edited writing. The University of Michigan’s language discussion notes that in regards to is common in actual usage even though formal writing often replaces it with in regard to or with regard to.
So you do not need to think:
American = one form
British = another form
Instead, think:
Standard formal choice = in regard to
Why People Get Confused
The main confusion comes from the word regards.
People regularly see:
- “Best regards”
- “Kind regards”
- “Give my regards to Sarah”
Because regards is familiar, some speakers naturally add the s to in regard to.
There is also another correct expression:
as regards
For example:
“As regards the new schedule, we need more information.”
Here, regards is part of a different grammatical construction. It should not be used as a reason to change in regard to into in regards to.
Another source of confusion is everyday speech. Since in regards to is frequently heard and appears in published material, many speakers assume that it is fully standard. Its use is widespread, but formal editors and usage guides generally favor the singular form.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Adding “s” to regard
Wrong:
“I am writing in regards to your application.”
Correct:
“I am writing in regard to your application.”
Use the singular regard in the standard expression.
Mistake 2: Using “regarding to”
Wrong:
“I am writing regarding to your request.”
Correct:
“I am writing regarding your request.”
Regarding does not need to after it.
Mistake 3: Confusing “regard” with “regards”
Wrong:
“Please give my regard to your family.”
Correct:
“Please give my regards to your family.”
Here, regards means friendly greetings.
Mistake 4: Using a formal phrase when a simple one is better
Less natural in casual conversation:
“What do you think in regard to this?”
More natural:
“What do you think about this?”
The formal phrase is not always wrong, but simpler wording can make everyday English clearer.
Real-Life Examples
At Work
“I am writing in regard to tomorrow’s meeting.”
At School
“The teacher gave us instructions in regard to the final project.”
In a Professional Email
“I am contacting you in regard to your recent request.”
During Travel
“I have a question in regard to my hotel reservation.”
In a Message
“I wanted to ask you in regard to the documents.”
For a casual message, about would usually sound more natural:
“I wanted to ask you about the documents.”
In a Conversation
“We talked in regard to the changes.”
A simpler conversational version would be:
“We talked about the changes.”
For an Order
“I am contacting customer service in regard to my order.”
In a Meeting
“The manager answered several questions in regard to the new policy.”
Easy Trick to Remember
Use this simple rule:
In regard to = about
If you mean about, use in regard to.
Think:
One topic → one regard
So write:
“in regard to the problem”
not:
“in regards to the problem”
For an even easier option, replace it with regarding.
“In regard to your email” → “Regarding your email”
Mini Quiz
- Which is the standard phrase?
- a) In regard to
- b) In regards to
- Choose the correct sentence:
- a) “I am writing in regard to your application.”
- b) “I am writing in regards to your application.”
- Which word means “about” in this context?
- a) regard
- b) regards
- Complete the sentence:
“I have a question ___ the new policy.”- a) in regard to
- b) in regards to
- Which sentence uses regards correctly?
- a) “Give my regards to your mother.”
- b) “Give my regard to your mother.”
- Which is the simplest alternative to “in regard to”?
- a) regarding
- b) regarding to
Quiz Answers
- a
- a
- a
- a
- a
- a
Related Confusing Words
- with regard to or with regards to
- regarding or regarding to
- your or you’re
- its or it’s
- affect or effect
- then or than
- accept or except
- advice or advise
FAQs About In Regard To or In Regards To
Is “in regard to” correct?
Yes. In regard to is the standard phrase meaning about, concerning, or with reference to.
Is “in regards to” correct?
It is widely used in actual speech and writing, but it is generally considered nonstandard or less preferred in careful formal writing. Use in regard to when you want the safest formal choice.
What is the difference between “in regard to” and “in regards to”?
Both are commonly understood to mean about or concerning, but in regard to is the preferred standard form for formal writing.
Which one should I use?
Use in regard to in school assignments, professional emails, reports, applications, and other formal writing.
Is “in regard to” formal or informal?
It is formal or neutral-formal. In casual conversation, about is usually simpler, while regarding is a concise alternative.
References
- Merriam-Webster, regard and regards — definitions and examples of the phrase “in regard to.”
- University of Michigan / Michigan Public, That’s What They Say — discussion of actual usage and the formal preference for “in regard to.”
- Dictionary.com, With Regard To vs. With Regards To — discussion of standard and nonstandard variants.
Conclusion
In regard to is the best choice when you mean about or concerning.
Although in regards to is common in everyday English, it is better to avoid it in formal and carefully edited writing.
You can also use regarding, about, or with regard to.
The easiest rule is: When you mean “about,” write “in regard to” without the s.
Sharpen Your English:
- Perfer or Prefer | Learn the Correct Form Before You Use It Again
- Aisle or Isle | One Letter Changes the Meaning Here’s How to Get It Right
I am Adrian Mercer, a writer who enjoys turning complex ideas into simple, practical guidance. I write about everyday questions, useful information, personal growth, and topics that help readers make better-informed decisions. My goal is to create clear and trustworthy content that readers can understand and apply in real life. I believe good guidance should be simple, useful, and easy to follow.
Books:
- The Practical Guide to Better Decisions
- Everyday Wisdom for Modern Life
Marlowe Bennett
info.myworkonline@gmail.com