Regard vs. Regards

Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Commonly Confused Words and other Writing topics.

Which is correct--regards or regard?

Regard vs. Regards

Use "in regard to," "with regard to," "regarding," or "as regards." Never use "in regards to." (The other acceptable use is "Give my regards to Broadway.")

   

Comments

11/3/2006 2:18:42 AM
Mark Joefer Suson said:

Well, I cannot understand it still. The explanation is not complete and very limited.

DR-Batch 48


4/18/2007 4:13:30 PM
Craig Fleming said:

In email others often close with just plain "Regards" is this correct? I thought Sincerely was the standard salutation.


4/19/2007 10:17:50 AM
Adam Y said:

As a noun (give my "regards" to...") it can be pluralized. Otherwise, it is singular.


4/19/2007 10:35:19 AM
DUH said:

If you don't understand the usage of "regard" vs "regards" then you really ought to think about finishing elementary school. That, or shooting yourself.


8/13/2007 9:01:38 AM
Jeff said:

I tend to agree.


10/16/2007 11:01:57 AM
Scott said:

Regard and regarding suggest "pertaining to" something - in regard to what you wrote, regarding the package I received...
Regards is like best wishes - regards to your sick mum.


11/6/2007 4:15:08 PM
Jynnan Tonnyx said:

The explanation is perfectly understandable. Let me spell it out for those who don't get it: "Never use: In regards to." The correct way to say it is "in regard to" --without the 's' at the end. The explanation is perfectly complete. Perhaps it is too simple for some people to understand?


5/8/2008 2:57:24 PM
Philip Andrew said:

in regard to, with regard to = about, concerning (i.e., "With regard to your concern...")
regards = good wishes (i.e., "Give my best regards to your mother.")


12/29/2008 12:11:17 PM
Catherine said:

This totally makes sense.
"In regards to" is incorrect. That's the point.


1/7/2009 7:53:59 PM
Noel Lakbay said:

I cannot understand it too. Very confusing explanation.


1/22/2009 3:36:20 PM
um said:

Quite self explanatory, I think.


4/25/2009 2:24:13 AM
willis said:

don't ever ever ever say "in regards to..." or "with regards to...". It is just wrong!


4/30/2009 2:29:43 PM
eric said:

This was just what I needed to know.


5/15/2009 10:14:55 AM
Lisa said:

regard means "about" like "regarding something" "about something". I would like to speak to you in regard to something.
Most people say in "regards" to something - but that is wrong - "regards - are good wishes, good feelings"... So I say just get out of the habit of using "in regard to something" and say "about something" or "in reference to something" - then you don't make a mistake! :)


6/8/2009 3:15:49 PM
KG said:

"Regards" refer to greetings or salutations, as in "please send her my regards." "Regard" means "in reference to" as in "to what does this regard?"

With regard to your question, is that helpful?

Regards,
-kg


6/12/2009 10:37:39 AM
Michelle said:

Thank you for the explaination.


8/19/2009 1:57:47 AM
nate in japan said:

Thanks for the rule, but I feel like "in regards to" is more commonly used than "in regard to" at least in spoken English. I'll go with your rule, but I would really love an explanation as to why this is. Of course, I'm sure this page isn't exactly burning up your monthly bandwidth with people dieing to know the answer, so I'll understand if you don't take my request as a high priority.


6/14/2011 5:01:19 PM
Joe said:

it's just a rule. no further explanation needed


10/29/2011 12:00:42 PM
CB said:

Simple, plural form (regards) can be used only in two occasions: 1) In salutations 'Best regards' or 'Warm regards' etc. and 2) Expression: Ex.: As regards your comments.... etc.


12/5/2011 9:02:33 AM
marina said:

Where are the meanings of the words? There are only samples of using.


12/5/2011 9:03:43 AM
marina said:

Where are the meanings of the words? There are only samples of using. As I can see by the previous comment, it was said 5 years ago. Gosh! You are really Gurus!


2/3/2012 8:01:34 AM
Darcy said:

'Regard' is to directly connect something. 'Regards' is treated like 'best wishes' or 'sincerely'.


2/7/2012 6:40:41 PM
ajnonne said:

Just think of it this way: The two words "as regards" both end in "s" and the other two don't.




Name:


URL: (optional)


Comment:


Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Writing Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Lynne Christen