Use in regard to, not in regards to, when you mean about, concerning, or with respect to. The word regard stays singular in this phrase. The final s belongs in other uses, such as best regards or as regards, not in in regard to.
Correct Choice
A reliable language note from Canada.ca says to write regard in the singular in in regard to and with regard to.Source-1✅
Table of Contents
Correct Form
The correct phrase is in regard to. It works like a formal version of about or concerning. Merriam-Webster defines in regard to as “with respect to” or “concerning.”Source-2✅
Simple Rule
- In regard to = correct phrase.
- With regard to = also correct.
- In regards to = best avoided in edited writing.
- As regards = correct, but it has a different structure.
Why The Extra S Appears
The extra s usually appears because writers connect the phrase with familiar expressions like best regards, warm regards, or give my regards. Those are different uses of the word regards. They refer to greetings or good wishes.
In in regard to, the word regard means something closer to relation, attention, or respect. That phrase uses the singular noun. So the clean form is: in regard to your request, not in regards to your request.
Memory note: If the phrase means about, keep it singular: in regard to.
Meaning and Use
In regard to means about, concerning, or in connection with. Cambridge lists in/with regard to with the meaning “in connection with,” and gives formal examples of the phrase in use.Source-3✅
Use It For
- emails
- letters
- reports
- polite requests
- formal notices
Plain Alternatives
- about
- regarding
- concerning
- on
- as for
For many sentences, about sounds more natural than in regard to. Use in regard to when a slightly formal tone fits the sentence.
Formal and Natural Versions
- Formal: I am writing in regard to your application.
- Natural: I am writing about your application.
- Formal: Please contact us in regard to the invoice.
- Natural: Please contact us about the invoice.
Word Forms
The confusion comes from the different jobs done by regard and regards. One is part of a phrase. The other can mean greetings, or it can appear in the separate phrase as regards.
| Form | Correct? | Where It Fits | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| in regard to | ✓ Correct | Means about or concerning | I called in regard to the appointment. |
| with regard to | ✓ Correct | Same meaning as in regard to | With regard to your question, the answer is yes. |
| in regards to | ✕ Not Recommended | Often used casually, but not preferred in edited text | Use in regard to instead. |
| as regards | ✓ Correct | Means about or concerning, but sounds formal | As regards timing, Monday works well. |
| best regards | ✓ Correct | Email closing or greeting phrase | Best regards, Maya |
Examples
These examples show the clean choice in ordinary writing. Notice that regard stays singular after in and with.
Correct Examples
- She emailed me in regard to the meeting.
- We have a question in regard to the schedule.
- The office sent a note with regard to the form.
- Please reply in regard to your availability.
Better Rewrites
- She emailed me about the meeting.
- We have a question about the schedule.
- The office sent a note regarding the form.
- Please reply about your availability.
Regarding is a useful one-word alternative. Merriam-Webster defines it as “with respect to” or “concerning,” so it often replaces in regard to neatly.Source-4✅
Comparison Table
| Sentence Type | Use | Avoid | Better Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business email | in regard to | in regards to | I am writing in regard to your order. |
| Casual message | about | in regards to | I’m messaging you about the order. |
| Report sentence | with regard to | with regards to | The note raises a point with regard to timing. |
| Formal phrase | as regards | in regards to | As regards timing, Friday is available. |
| Email closing | regards | regard | Best regards, Jordan |
Common Sentence Fixes
Here are common corrections using in regard to. The fixed sentence keeps the meaning but removes the extra s.
| Not Recommended | Correct | Plain Option |
|---|---|---|
| In regards to your email, I agree. | In regard to your email, I agree. | About your email, I agree. |
| We called in regards to the form. | We called in regard to the form. | We called about the form. |
| With regards to the date, Tuesday works. | With regard to the date, Tuesday works. | Regarding the date, Tuesday works. |
| My question is in regards to payment. | My question is in regard to payment. | My question is about payment. |
Best everyday choice: In a short sentence, about is often smoother. In a formal sentence, in regard to is safe and correct.
FAQ
Questions About In Regard To vs In Regards To
Is “In Regards To” Ever Correct?
It is common in casual speech and informal writing, but in regards to is not the preferred form when the meaning is about or concerning. Use in regard to.
Is “With Regards To” Correct?
Use with regard to, not with regards to. The same singular rule applies.
Why Is “Best Regards” Correct?
Best regards is an email closing. In that phrase, regards means good wishes or greetings. It is not the same structure as in regard to.
Can I Use “Regarding” Instead?
Yes. Regarding is often shorter and cleaner than in regard to. Example: I am writing regarding your request.
Which Is Better in An Email?
For a formal email, in regard to is correct. For a simpler email, about or regarding may sound more direct.
What Is The Easiest Way To Remember It?
If the phrase means about, use singular regard: in regard to. Save plural regards for greetings, such as best regards.