The correct phrase is “in regard to”, meaning “concerning,” “about,” or “with respect to.” Many people write “in regards to” because regards is a familiar word in phrases such as “Best regards” and “give my regards.”
This creates confusion, especially in emails, business writing, and everyday speech. Both forms are widely seen, but “in regard to” remains the safer and more standard choice in formal English.
In this guide, you will learn the meaning, origin, pronunciation, grammar, and usage of both forms.
You will also see British and American English guidance, common mistakes, examples, usage trends, and simple rules for choosing the right form.
Quick Answer
“In regard to” is the standard form. It means “about,” “concerning,” or “with respect to.”
Examples:
- Correct: I am writing in regard to your application.
- Correct: We have a question in regard to the contract.
- Correct: In regard to your request, we need more information.
- Less standard: I am writing in regards to your application.
The word regard is singular in this expression. In this use, it means consideration, attention, or reference to a subject. Major dictionary sources list in regard to as a standard expression. (Merriam-Webster)
However, “in regards to” is not rare. It appears often in modern speech and writing, and some dictionaries and usage sources recognize it as an alternative or regional form. Dictionary.com notes that “in regards to” has grown greatly in usage. (Dictionary.com)
For professional writing, the easiest rule is:
Use “in regard to.”
You can also replace it with regarding, about, or concerning.
The Origin of In Regard or In Regards
The word regard has a long history in English. It comes through Old French from a Germanic source related to looking at or paying attention to something.
Over time, regard developed several meanings, including:
- attention
- consideration
- respect
- concern
- reference to something
The phrase “in regard to” developed with the meaning “concerning” or “with respect to.”
For example:
I am writing in regard to your request.
This means:
I am writing concerning your request.
The confusion comes from the separate word regards.
Regards can be a plural noun meaning friendly greetings:
- Please give my regards to your family.
- Send my regards to John.
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
Because people often see regards in letters and emails, they may naturally add the s to “in regard to.”
Another source of confusion is the expression “as regards,” which is also correct:
- As regards your question, we need more details.
Here, regards has a different grammatical role. It does not mean that “in regard to” should also contain an s.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no major British-versus-American spelling difference in this phrase.
Both British English and American English use:
in regard to
The same applies to:
with regard to
The main difference is not spelling. It is usage and preference.
| English variety | Preferred form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| British English | in regard to | I am writing in regard to your letter. |
| American English | in regard to | I am writing in regard to your request. |
| Canadian English | in regard to | We contacted you in regard to the account. |
| Australian English | in regard to | She spoke in regard to the new policy. |
| Global professional English | in regard to | We have a question in regard to the report. |
“In regards to” can be found in both British and American sources, but it is often treated as less standard or informal. For formal writing, in regard to avoids the issue.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
If you write for a US audience
Use in regard to in business emails, reports, academic work, and professional documents.
Example:
I am contacting you in regard to your recent application.
You may hear in regards to in everyday American speech, but it is still safer to use the standard form in formal writing.
If you write for a UK or Commonwealth audience
Use in regard to.
It is clear, conventional, and suitable for formal communication.
If you write for a global audience
Use in regard to, regarding, or about.
For maximum simplicity, regarding is often the best choice.
Compare:
- In regard to your order, we need more information.
- Regarding your order, we need more information.
- About your order, we need more information.
All communicate the same basic idea, but regarding is short and professional.
Common Mistakes with In Regard or In Regards
Mistake 1: Using “in regards to”
❌ I am writing in regards to your complaint.
✅ I am writing in regard to your complaint.
Mistake 2: Using “in regards of”
❌ We spoke in regards of the new policy.
✅ We spoke in regard to the new policy.
The normal structure is in regard to, not “in regard of.”
Mistake 3: Confusing “in regard to” with “best regards”
These phrases have different meanings.
In regard to means concerning.
Best regards expresses good wishes at the end of a message.
Example:
I am writing in regard to your application.
Best regards,
Sarah
Mistake 4: Adding an unnecessary plural
Some writers think that several topics require regards.
That is not necessary.
❌ We discussed the matter in regards to the three issues.
✅ We discussed the matter in regard to the three issues.
The number of topics does not require the noun to become plural.
Mistake 5: Using an overly formal phrase
Although in regard to is correct, it can sound formal.
In casual writing, about is often more natural.
Formal:
I am contacting you in regard to your order.
Simple:
I am contacting you about your order.
In Regard or In Regards in Everyday Examples
In emails
Use in regard to when introducing the subject of a professional email.
I am writing in regard to your recent inquiry.
In regard to your request, we can provide the documents tomorrow.
You can also use regarding:
I am writing regarding your recent inquiry.
For everyday emails, “about” may sound more natural:
I am writing about your recent inquiry.
In news writing
News reports often use formal phrases such as in regard to, with regard to, and regarding.
Example:
Officials released a statement in regard to the new policy.
A simpler version is:
Officials released a statement regarding the new policy.
On social media
Social media is more relaxed, so about is usually the most natural choice.
Formal:
I have a question in regard to the latest update.
Natural:
I have a question about the latest update.
“In regards to” may appear frequently in informal posts, but frequent use does not automatically make it the best choice for formal writing.
In formal writing
Use in regard to in reports, applications, business documents, and formal letters.
Example:
The committee reached a decision in regard to the proposed changes.
However, regarding can make the sentence shorter:
The committee reached a decision regarding the proposed changes.
In Regard or In Regards – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search and usage data show why this question can be confusing.
Older discussions of Google search and Google Trends found that “in regards to” can receive substantial search interest and may even appear more frequently in general web searches. However, raw search results do not prove that a phrase is grammatically preferred. (English Language & Usage Stack Exchange)
Dictionary.com also reported that “in regards to” had risen sharply in actual usage, with its data showing it being used nearly twice as often as “in regard to” at the time of its analysis. (Dictionary.com)
Modern published examples show both forms, including examples of “in regards to” in major publications. This suggests that the plural form is widespread even though “in regard to” remains the safer standard for formal writing. (Merriam-Webster)
This distinction is important:
Common does not always mean preferred in formal English.
Google Trends measures search interest, not grammatical correctness. For professional writing, style guides, dictionaries, and editorial standards are more useful than raw search volume.
In Regard or In Regards: Comparison Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Standard? | Formal Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| in regard to | concerning; about | Yes | Recommended |
| in regards to | concerning; about | Widely used, but less standard | Avoid when possible |
| with regard to | concerning; about | Yes | Recommended |
| with regards to | concerning; about | Widely used, but less standard | Avoid when possible |
| regarding | concerning; about | Yes | Excellent |
| about | concerning | Yes | Best for simple writing |
| as regards | concerning | Yes | Formal |
In Regard vs In Regards: Easy Rule to Remember
Use this simple memory trick:
“In regard to” = about.
If you can replace the phrase with about, use regard without the s.
For example:
I am writing in regard to your application.
Replace it:
I am writing about your application.
The meaning stays the same.
Remember that regards has another common use:
Best regards,
That is why the s belongs naturally in an email closing but not in the standard phrase in regard to.
FAQs
Is “in regard to” correct?
Yes. In regard to is the standard phrase meaning “concerning,” “about,” or “with respect to.”
Is “in regards to” grammatically correct?
“In regards to” is widely used and appears in modern English, but many editors and style guides still consider it nonstandard or less preferred. For formal writing, use in regard to. (Dictionary.com)
Is “in regard to” formal?
Yes. It is a formal expression. In simple everyday writing, about or regarding may sound more natural.
Can I use “with regard to” instead?
Yes. With regard to is standard and has the same basic meaning.
Example:
With regard to your request, we will respond soon.
What is the difference between “in regard to” and “regarding”?
There is little difference in meaning.
- In regard to = concerning
- Regarding = concerning
“Regarding” is usually shorter and more natural.
Is “Best regards” correct?
Yes. Best regards is a normal email and letter closing. Here, regards means friendly wishes or greetings.
Should I use “in regard to” in a business email?
Yes. It is a safe and professional choice.
Example:
I am writing in regard to the invoice you sent last week.
You can also use the simpler:
I am writing about the invoice you sent last week.
Conclusion
The standard phrase is “in regard to,” not “in regards to,” when you mean “about” or “concerning” a subject.
The phrase uses singular regard, while regards is commonly used for greetings, as in “Best regards.” Although “in regards to” is widespread in modern speech and online writing, it can still be marked as nonstandard in formal English.
The practical takeaway is simple: use in regard to for professional and academic writing, or choose regarding or about for a shorter style.
For another useful spelling guide, read our related post on “with regard to or with regards to.”.
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