With Regard To vs. With Regards To: What’s the Difference and How to Use Them Correctly

When it comes to professional writing, even small details in wording can have a big impact on how your email or message is received, and understanding With Regard To or With Regards To: What’s the Difference Between the Two? helps writers avoid common confusion. These phrases may look similar, but they carry subtle differences in meaning, tone, and correctness, making it important to know the right way to use them for maintaining clarity, professionalism, and grammatical accuracy in communication.

In formal writing, like business emails, academic papers, or other formal contexts, with regard to is the standard and widely accepted form, concerning or relating to the subject directly. On the other hand, with regards to appears in casual speech and is generally grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. The addition of s changes the tone, making it sound like a greeting or closing phrase, such as best regards. Spotting tiny variations allows writers to avoid mistakes and present ideas effectively.

From my experience as a fluent writer, choosing correctly in every email or message shows precision and boosts confidence. Focusing on each detail and examining usage ensures messages remain precise, reflects command of English, and improves overall clarity. Understanding distinctions, highlighting situations, and knowing when to call for the correct form is the right way to maintain professionalism while avoiding errors that could confuse the reader.

Understanding the Confusion

The phrases “with regard to” and “with regards to” sound nearly identical, which is why even native speakers trip over them. Both are often intended to mean “about” or “concerning”, but only one is grammatically correct.

Here’s the catch:

• With regard to – correct, singular, formal
• With regards to – incorrect, plural, informal/mistaken

Despite the subtlety, this difference matters. Imagine sending a formal email that begins:

“With regards to your application, we will review it next week.”

Even though the meaning is understood, the plural regards makes the sentence less professional. In contrast:

“With regard to your application, we will review it next week.”

…reads polished, precise, and authoritative.

In this article, we’ll explore why the distinction matters, when to use each phrase, and how to choose the best alternatives for professional and academic writing.

Origins and History of the Phrases

Understanding the history of these phrases helps clarify why one is correct and the other is not.

• With regard to first appeared in formal English writing in the 16th century. It comes from the word regard, which means attention, concern, or consideration. It’s always singular because it references a topic or matter, not a greeting or expression.
• With regards to emerged as a common error, likely influenced by the closing phrase in letters: “Kind regards” or “Best regards.” People mistakenly transfer the plural regards from greetings into a formal prepositional phrase.

Example from literature:

“With regard to the recent events, the council has decided to convene an emergency meeting.” – Formal English usage, 1800s

Modern misuse in emails:

“With regards to your order, we apologize for the delay.” – Incorrect but frequently seen in casual emails

By looking at the historical use, it’s clear that “with regard to” has always been the grammatically accepted form, while with regards to is simply a widespread mistake.

Breaking Down ‘With Regard To’

Let’s examine why “with regard to” works and how to use it effectively.

Meaning

• Literally means “concerning”, “about”, or “in reference to.”
• Can be used to introduce the subject of a discussion, letter, report, or conversation.

Example:

“With regard to your proposal, we will schedule a meeting next week.”

Grammar Structure

• With – preposition
• Regard – singular noun
• To – preposition linking to the object/topic

Key point: Regard remains singular because it refers to a concept, not multiple items.

Formality

• Highly formal and professional
• Suitable for emails, letters, reports, legal documents, academic writing
• Signals careful attention to the topic, which enhances credibility

Example in professional email:

“With regard to the upcoming project deadline, please ensure all deliverables are submitted by Friday.”

By mastering this phrase, your writing will appear precise and confident.

Why ‘With Regards To’ is Incorrect

Despite its prevalence, “with regards to” is not grammatically correct when used to introduce a topic.

The Grammar Mistake

• Regards is plural, often associated with greetings: “Best regards”
• Using regards in with regards to is mixing a greeting with a prepositional phrase, which is incorrect in formal English

Common Misuses

• Casual emails
• Informal memos
• Social media posts

Example of incorrect usage:

“With regards to your feedback, we appreciate your input.”

Even though people understand it, it’s technically wrong and can make professional communication appear careless.

Tip: Always double-check formal emails or academic papers—especially if your audience is a client, superior, or professor.

Comparing the Two Phrases Side by Side

A clear comparison helps illustrate the difference:

Phrase	Correct Usage	Formality	Example Sentence
With Regard To	✅ About, concerning	Formal	“With regard to your application, we will review it next week.”
With Regards To	❌ Incorrect	Informal/Mistaken	“With regards to your application, we will review it next week.”

Key takeaway: Singular regard signals attention to a topic, while plural regards belongs to greetings.

Examples in Real-World Contexts

Here are some practical examples showing correct usage in different situations:

Business Emails

“With regard to our last meeting, I have attached the updated report for your review.”

• Sounds formal and professional
• Maintains clarity

Academic Writing

“With regard to the methodology, previous studies have shown a correlation between sleep patterns and cognitive performance.”

• Signals careful attention to a specific topic
• Accepted in journals and papers

Legal and Official Documents

“With regard to the terms outlined in this contract, both parties must adhere to the deadlines specified.”

• Necessary in legal writing for precision and clarity
• Avoids ambiguity that could lead to disputes

Before-and-After Example

• Incorrect: “With regards to your request, we will respond soon.”
• Correct: “With regard to your request, we will respond soon.”

Observation: The difference is subtle but impactful in professional perception.

Alternatives and Synonyms for ‘With Regard To’

If you want variety or less formal wording, several alternatives can replace with regard to:

• Concerning – simple and clear
• Regarding – widely used in emails
• In reference to – formal, professional
• Pertaining to – slightly formal, suitable for legal or technical writing
• As regards – less common, but grammatically correct

Examples in sentences:

• “Regarding your application, we will schedule an interview next week.”
• “Concerning the budget, the team has proposed a new plan.”
• “In reference to the meeting notes, please review the attached document.”

Pro Tip: Alternate phrases to avoid repetition, especially in long documents.

Tips for Professional and Clear Writing

Using the right phrase is one thing; making your writing concise and readable is another. Here are tips:

• Avoid overusing formal phrases—mix with simpler alternatives
• Proofread emails and reports for common misuses
• Use grammar tools (Grammarly, ProWritingAid) for accuracy
• Mnemonic to remember:
  
  “Regard is singular when referencing a topic. Regards is plural for greetings.”
• Use tables or bullet points to clarify complex information instead of overloading a sentence

Example:

Instead of:

“With regard to the quarterly financial report, which includes revenue, expenses, and net profit margins, we have analyzed all data and compiled it in a document for your perusal.”

Try:

“With regard to the quarterly financial report, we analyzed revenue, expenses, and net profit margins. The findings are compiled in the attached document.”

Observation: Shorter sentences improve readability without losing detail.

Why Correct Usage Matters

You might think this is a small detail, but using “with regard to” correctly has tangible benefits:

• Professional credibility: Shows attention to detail
• Avoid misunderstandings: Misused phrases can confuse the reader
• Maintains formal tone: Crucial in emails, academic papers, contracts, and reports

Case Study:

A consulting firm sent proposals to a client using with regards to. The client noted the error, questioning the firm’s professionalism. After correcting it to with regard to, subsequent communications were positively received, illustrating how small grammar details affect perception.

Quick Reference Guide

For fast scanning and practical use:

Do’s

• Use with regard to when introducing a topic
• Use singular regard in formal writing
• Alternate with regarding, concerning, in reference to

Don’ts

• Use with regards to in emails or reports
• Confuse regards in greetings with prepositional phrases

Quick Cheat Sheet:

With Regard To → Correct
With Regards To → Incorrect
Regards → Only for greetings
Regarding/Concerning → Acceptable alternatives

Conclusion

Using with regard to and with regards to correctly is essential in professional writing. Paying attention to small details, wording, and tone can boost confidence, maintain professionalism, and avoid confusion in emails, messages, or academic papers.

Spotting subtle differences, choosing correctly, and focusing on each detail ensures your communication is clear, precise, and grammatically accurate, while reflecting your command of English. Understanding these expressions helps writers present ideas effectively and improve clarity in all formal and casual contexts.

FAQs

1. When should I use “with regard to”?

Use with regard to in formal writing, business emails, academic papers, or any situation where a direct reference to the subject is needed.

2. Is “with regards to” incorrect?

It is generally grammatically incorrect in formal contexts, but can appear in casual speech or informal messages, often sounding like a greeting or closing phrase.

3. Can I mix them in emails?

Avoid mixing. Always choose correctly depending on formality to maintain professionalism and clarity.

4. How can I spot the difference?

Focus on subtle differences, the tone, and usage examples. With regard to points directly to the subject, while with regards to feels more casual or friendly.

5. Does using the wrong one affect professionalism?

Yes. Incorrect use may confuse readers and reduce clarity, making your emails or messages appear less precise and professional.