When it comes to professional writing, even small details and wording choices can have a big impact on your message or email. Many writers face confusion when deciding between with regard to and with regards to, especially in formal writing like business emails or academic papers. These phrases are often misunderstood, leading to grammatically incorrect usage or casual errors.
The differences may seem tiny, but they influence clarity, tone, and overall professionalism. Understanding the meaning, correctness, and usage examples of each phrase ensures your communication is precise and maintains a standard, widely accepted form. Paying attention to detail, context, and formal contexts can help you avoid errors and boost confidence in your writing, while subtle variations can reflect a fluent English writer’s command over language.
In everyday messages or emails, knowing when and how to use each phrase improves clarity and professionalism, while also showing careful focus on the subject. Formal clarity can be maintained by choosing correctly, spotting common mistakes, and focusing on grammatical accuracy, direct reference, and context. Using with regard to in formal writing signals precision, whereas with regards to in casual speech may be acceptable but can reduce formal impact.
Adding a proper greeting, closing phrase, or best regards also reflects your attention to professional writing standards. By choosing between correct form, variations, and everyday casual impact, a writer can avoid errors, boost confidence, and ensure clarity in all situations, emails, and messages, ultimately improving communication, usage examples, and expression.
Why “With Regard To” and “With Regards To” Create So Much Confusion
English learners in the USA often mix the two because the difference is subtle. Even native speakers slip up. The confusion stems from several overlapping factors:
Speech often blurs the boundary.
When people talk quickly, the ending s blends into the sentence. So “regard” and “regards” sound similar.
Familiar greetings mislead writers.
People use closings such as:
- “Regards,”
- “Best regards,”
- “Warm regards,”
These phrases normalize the plural regards, so many writers assume it should appear inside other expressions too.
Grammar feels less obvious in everyday conversation.
Most don’t pause to ask whether regard is functioning as a countable noun, an uncountable noun, or an idiomatic expression. The brain simply fills in what “sounds right.”
Autocorrect amplifies mistakes.
Some email programs “fix” your writing, even when they’re wrong.
Social media spreads the incorrect version.
Millions of posts say “with regards to”, which tricks people into thinking it’s correct.
Understanding why the confusion exists helps fix the problem. And that leads us straight into what the correct version actually means.
The Correct Phrase: With Regard To — Meaning, Logic, and Clear Use
What “With Regard To” Really Means
The phrase “with regard to” means “concerning,” “about,” “on the subject of,” or “in relation to.” It points the reader toward the topic you’re referencing.
Examples:
- “With regard to your assignment, the deadline remains Friday.”
- “The report offers several findings with regard to employee satisfaction.”
- “With regard to your question, yes, the policy has changed.”
Why the Noun Must Stay Singular
In this expression, “regard” functions as a mass noun, similar to:
- information
- research
- advice
- knowledge
You don’t pluralize those words, and the same applies here. There is one regard — one matter being considered.
Using the plural “regards” changes the meaning entirely, which we’ll explore later.
What Style Guides Say
Major American writing authorities support the singular form:
- Chicago Manual of Style endorses “with regard to.”
- Associated Press (AP) calls the plural form nonstandard.
- Modern Language Association (MLA) and APA avoid the plural entirely.
When every style guide agrees on something, it’s worth noticing.
Where You Should Use It
This phrase works well in:
- Business emails
- Research papers
- Classroom instructions
- Academic essays
- Professional reports
- Legal documents
It stays neutral, clear, and formal without sounding stiff.
Here’s a quick chart showing appropriate contexts:
| Context | Acceptable? | Note |
| College essays | Yes | Formal and precise |
| Business emails | Yes | Professional tone |
| Presentations | Yes | Works when explaining topics |
| Text messages | Rarely | Sounds too formal |
| Casual speech | Rarely | “About” is more natural |
With its clarity and professional tone, “with regard to” is the best choice in almost every formal setting.
Examples of Correct Usage in Real-Life American Settings
Academic Examples
- “With regard to the study’s limitations, the sample size was small.”
- “The professor asked students to revise their conclusions with regard to thesis clarity.”
Professional Examples
- “With regard to the budget, we must update the projections.”
- “HR sent a memo with regard to policy changes.”
Everyday Written Communication
- “With regard to your subscription, renewal happens automatically.”
Each example shows how the phrase anchors your sentence and directs the reader toward the topic.
The Incorrect Version: With Regards To — Why It Doesn’t Work
Why Adding the “s” Is Wrong
The plural noun “regards” refers to:
- polite greetings
- expressions of goodwill
Examples:
- “Please give my regards to your family.”
- “Warm regards,”
- “Kind regards,”
Once s appears, the meaning jumps from “concerning” to “greetings.”
This creates confusion and unintentionally shifts the tone.
Why Many People Still Use It
Common reasons:
- They hear others say it.
- Workplace emails normalize it.
- Social media posts repeat it.
- It “sounds formal.”
Unfortunately, none of those reasons make the phrase correct in standard American English.
How “With Regards To” Weakens Writing
Using the plural form:
- makes academic writing sound inaccurate
- reduces professional credibility
- distracts the reader
- confuses meaning
Clarity matters, especially in the United States where academic and workplace communication expect precision.
Real-World Misuse: What It Looks Like
Below are examples of sentences that sound natural at first glance but remain incorrect:
- “With regards to your interview, we’ll inform you soon.”
- “With regards to your request, the team is reviewing it.”
They appear harmless, yet they send a subtle message:
The writer hasn’t mastered professional English phrasing.
That matters to:
- hiring managers
- professors
- clients
- colleagues
Choosing the correct version protects your credibility.
Side-by-Side Comparison: With Regard To vs. With Regards To
| Feature | With Regard To (Correct) | With Regards To (Incorrect) |
| Grammar | Singular noun | Plural noun misused |
| Meaning | Concerning, about | Unclear, nonstandard |
| Professional tone | Strong | Weak |
| Academic acceptance | Fully accepted | Considered wrong |
| Business communication | Standard | Unprofessional |
| Includes greeting meaning? | No | Yes (causes confusion) |
| Use in US English | Preferred | Incorrect |
This table gives a visual snapshot of the stark difference in correctness and tone.
Alternatives to “With Regard To” for Clearer, Cleaner Writing
Writers often use “with regard to” too often, which makes paragraphs feel heavy. Fortunately, several concise alternatives offer more rhythm, fluidity, and precision.
Below are alternatives grouped by tone:
Short, Direct Alternatives (Great for Students and Teachers)
- About
- Concerning
- Regarding
- On
- On the topic of
- Related to
Examples:
- “Regarding your essay, I added comments.”
- “The discussion about climate policy continues.”
- “On the topic of attendance, please sign in daily.”
These work beautifully in school settings where clarity is crucial.
Professional Alternatives (Useful for Workplace Writing)
- In reference to
- In relation to
- As for
- As it relates to
- From the standpoint of
Examples:
- “In reference to your proposal, here are the next steps.”
- “As it relates to staffing, we expect several changes.”
These alternatives sound polished without becoming overly formal.
More Formal or Technical Alternatives (For Academic or Research Writing)
- Pertaining to
- With respect to
- In connection with
Examples:
- “With respect to data collection, the researchers used surveys.”
- “The evidence pertaining to patient outcomes was conclusive.”
These appear in scholarly journals, research papers, and analytical work.
Examples: How Alternatives Improve Clarity
Below is a set of rewrites demonstrating how shorter alternatives reduce clutter.
| Original | Improved |
| “With regard to your request, the team will respond soon.” | “Regarding your request, the team will respond soon.” |
| “With regard to the budget, adjustments are necessary.” | “About the budget, adjustments are necessary.” |
| “With regard to climate trends, results show rapid warming.” | “Concerning climate trends, results show rapid warming.” |
Shorter sentences strike harder. They sound confident and clear.
How Choosing the Right Phrase Affects Professionalism
In the United States, small language choices influence how others perceive your competence. Professors, managers, and colleagues pay attention to precision.
Here’s how using the correct phrase strengthens your image:
It Shows Command of Standard English
Whether you’re a student writing a thesis or a professional responding to clients, accuracy matters. People trust writers who communicate clearly.
It Reduces Misunderstanding
Precise language avoids ambiguity, especially in:
- contracts
- instructions
- reports
- academic writing
It Supports Your Credibility
Students gain stronger grades.
Teachers present clearer lessons.
Professionals earn more respect.
It Creates a More Polished Tone
Using the correct phrase makes your writing sound thoughtful, not rushed.
To illustrate, here’s a quick case study.
Case Study: A Professional Email Miscommunication
Scenario:
A project manager at a US technology company emails her team:
“With regards to the updated timeline, please see the attached document.”
A junior analyst reads the message and assumes “regards” is a formal greeting, not a reference to the timeline. He clicks the attachment but doesn’t understand the context. He delays action, thinking a follow-up explanation will arrive.
Result?
The team loses an entire working day, delaying a product launch.
Revised Version:
“With regard to the updated timeline, please see the attached document.”
Clear. Direct. Impossible to misinterpret.
This small change prevents costly mistakes.
Tips to Use the Correct Phrase Consistently
Here are practical strategies for mastering this phrase:
Use a Memory Trick
Think of “regard” as “attention.”
You give attention to one thing at a time.
So it stays singular.
Replace It Temporarily
If you can swap in “about,” you know the sentence needs “regard”, not “regards.”
Example:
- “About your email…” works
- “Abouts your email…” doesn’t
Keep Sentences Short
Long sentences invite errors.
Shorter ones stay clean and clear.
Edit Before You Send
Read the sentence out loud.
If it sounds like a greeting, it’s wrong.
Conclusion
In professional writing, every small detail matters. Choosing between with regard to and with regards to can seem tricky, but understanding their differences, meaning, and context ensures clarity, correctness, and professionalism.
By paying attention to formal contexts, grammatical accuracy, and subtle variations, writers can avoid confusion, boost confidence, and maintain a standard, widely accepted form in all messages, emails, and academic papers. The impact of careful wording, focus, and precision is huge, and mastering these phrases enhances your communication and everyday casual impact alike.
FAQs
Q1: When should I use “with regard to”?
Use with regard to in formal writing, business emails, or academic papers when you want to show precision, professionalism, and correct usage.
Q2: Is “with regards to” wrong?
Not always. It’s often used in casual speech or everyday messages, but it may reduce formal clarity in professional contexts.
Q3: How can I avoid confusion between the two phrases?
Focus on context, formal clarity, and grammatical accuracy. Remember that with regard to is formal, while with regards to is more casual. Spotting common mistakes and choosing correctly ensures your writing remains precise.
Q4: Do greetings like “best regards” relate to these phrases?
Yes. Proper greetings, closing phrases, and best regards show attention to detail and improve professional writing and communication.
Q5: Can these phrases affect the tone of my writing?
Absolutely. Using the right phrase influences tone, impact, and reader perception, enhancing the everyday casual impact and clarity of your messages.
