If you’ve ever paused while writing an email and wondered whether to use “in regard to” or “in regards to,” you’re not alone. These two phrases look almost identical and sound nearly the same, so millions of people mix them up — especially when communicating professionally.
But here’s the good news:
Although they seem similar, only one is grammatically correct in formal writing, while the other is considered informal or incorrect in many contexts.
In this guide, we’ll break down the meaning of each phrase, how they’re used, why people confuse them, and how to choose the right one every time. You’ll also see real-life dialogue examples, a comparison table, and simple usage tips.
Let’s make this confusion disappear — without the grammar jargon. ✨
What Is “In Regard To”?
“In regard to” is the correct and standard English expression used in professional, academic, and formal communication. It means “about,” “concerning,” or “relating to.”
It’s commonly used in:
- Business emails
- Academic writing
- Legal documents
- Formal reports
- Professional conversations
How It Works
You can use “in regard to” just like “about” — but with a more formal tone.
Example:
- “In regard to your application, we will contact you next week.”
- “I’m writing in regard to your refund request.”
Where It’s Used
This phrase appears widely in:
- Corporate communication
- Customer support replies
- Legal correspondence
- HR messages
- Government documents
Because it’s grammatically precise, organizations use it to maintain clarity and professionalism.
Origin
The phrase comes from the word “regard,” meaning attention, consideration, or reference. Over time, “in regard to” became the standard idiomatic form.
✔ Short verdict:
“In regard to” = Correct, formal, professional.
What Is “In Regards To”?
“In regards to” is a common but grammatically non-standard variation. Many people use it in everyday conversation, but most grammar experts consider it incorrect in formal writing because of the added “s” in “regards.”
Still, it appears frequently in:
- Casual conversations
- Social media posts
- Informal emails
- Spoken English
Why People Use It
The extra “s” sneaks in because:
- People confuse it with phrases like “with regards,” “best regards,” or “regards,” which do correctly use the “s.”
- It sounds natural when spoken quickly.
- It has become common in everyday speech.
Key Point
While many people wouldn’t notice the mistake, using “in regards to” in a business or academic environment may look unprofessional.
✔ Short verdict:
“In regards to” = Common in speech but non-standard in formal writing.
⭐ Key Differences Between “In Regard To” and “In Regards To”
Below is a simplified comparison table to instantly understand the difference.
| Feature | In Regard To | In Regards To |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar Status | ✔ Correct | ❌ Non-standard |
| Usage | Formal writing, professional communication | Casual speech, informal messaging |
| Meaning | “About,” “concerning,” “relating to” | Same meaning, but grammatically incorrect |
| Target Audience | Business, academic, legal | Friends, casual conversations |
| Professional Acceptance | Highly acceptable | Often viewed as an error |
| Recommended For Emails | Yes | No |
In simple terms:
👉 Use “in regard to.” Avoid “in regards to” in professional situations.
🎭 Real-Life Conversation Examples (With Lessons)
Dialogue 1
Ayan: “I sent an email saying ‘In regards to your proposal…’ Was that right?”
Bilal: “In formal writing, it should be ‘in regard to.’ The version with ‘s’ isn’t standard.”
Ayan: “Good to know… I’ll fix it next time!”
🎯 Lesson: “In regard to” is the grammatically correct choice in emails.
Dialogue 2
Sara: “What’s wrong with saying ‘in regards to’? Everyone says it!”
Hina: “True, but it’s not accepted in professional writing.”
Sara: “So for office emails, I should stick to the correct one?”
Hina: “Exactly — ‘in regard to.’”
🎯 Lesson: Casual doesn’t equal correct. Use the proper form in work settings.
Dialogue 3
Ahmed: “My teacher corrected ‘in regards to’ in my assignment.”
Raza: “Yeah, the formal phrase has no ‘s.’ It’s ‘in regard to.’”
Ahmed: “Makes sense. English can be tricky!”
🎯 Lesson: Academic writing requires the standard, grammar-approved version.
Dialogue 4
Faiza: “I always get confused. Is it ‘regard’ or ‘regards’?”
Maham: “Think of it like ‘in relation to.’ No extra letters needed.”
Faiza: “Ahh, that helps!”
🎯 Lesson: Remember: regard = correct.
Dialogue 5
Omar: “My boss highlighted ‘in regards to’ in red.”
Zain: “😂 Because it’s wrong in formal writing!”
Omar: “Okay okay… I’ll only use ‘in regard to’ now.”
🎯 Lesson: Professional editors consistently prefer “in regard to.”
🧭 When to Use “In Regard To” vs “In Regards To”
✔ Use “In Regard To” when you want to:
- Communicate formally
- Write professional emails
- Submit academic work
- Prepare reports, proposals, or contracts
- Sound clear, correct, and credible
- Follow proper grammar rules
Examples:
- “In regard to your inquiry, here are the details…”
- “This policy is updated in regard to safety guidelines.”
✔ Use “In Regards To” when:
- Speaking casually
- Messaging friends
- Writing informally on social platforms
Examples:
- “In regards to last night… wow, what a game!”
- “In regards to your joke, I’m still laughing.”
But remember:
👉 Avoid it in professional or academic settings.
🎉 Fun Facts / History
- The phrase “in regard to” dates back to the 1800s and became the accepted formal expression in British and American English.
- The incorrect version “in regards to” grew popular mainly because of “best regards,” a completely different phrase used in email sign-offs.
Language evolves — but grammar still prefers precision.
🏁 Conclusion
Even though “in regard to” and “in regards to” sound almost the same, they belong to different levels of correctness. “In regard to” is the proper, formal, and widely accepted expression, while “in regards to” is informal and often considered a mistake in professional writing.
Use the standard version whenever you need clarity, professionalism, and grammatical accuracy.
Next time someone wonders which one to write, you’ll know exactly what they mean — and which one is right! ✔😉
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