If you’ve ever paused while writing an email, blog post, or formal document and wondered “Is it in regard to or in regards to?” — you’re not alone. This is one of the most commonly confused phrases in modern English, and it trips up beginners, professionals, and even native speakers.
Both expressions look almost identical. They sound natural in conversation. And to make things more confusing, you’ll often see both used online, sometimes even in professional writing.
However, only one of them is grammatically correct in standard English.
Although they sound similar, they serve completely different purposes — and one of them can quietly hurt your writing credibility if you use it incorrectly.
In this clear, 2026-ready guide, we’ll break down in regard to vs in regards to in simple, conversational English. You’ll learn what each phrase means, how they’re used, why people confuse them, and how to choose the right one every time — with real-life examples, dialogues, and a comparison table to make it stick. 🚀
What Is “In Regard To”?
In regard to is a correct and standard English phrase. It means “about,” “concerning,” or “with reference to.” Writers use it to introduce a topic or subject they are discussing.
How It Works
The word “regard” here is a noun meaning attention or consideration. When paired with “in”, it forms a fixed phrase that grammatically makes sense.
✔️ Correct structure:
in + regard + to
Where It’s Used
You’ll commonly see in regard to in:
- Formal emails
- Business communication
- Academic writing
- Legal documents
- Professional blog posts
Examples
- I’m writing in regard to your recent application.
- There has been an update in regard to company policy.
- She raised a concern in regard to workplace safety.
Origin & Authority
The phrase in regard to has been part of standard English for centuries and appears in:
- Dictionaries
- Grammar textbooks
- Style guides (AP, Chicago, Oxford)
✅ In short:
In regard to = grammatically correct, professional, and widely accepted.
What Is “In Regards To”?
In regards to is technically incorrect in standard English, even though many people use it casually.
Why People Use It
The confusion usually comes from:
- Thinking “regards” should be plural
- Mixing it up with phrases like “best regards”
- Hearing it frequently in spoken English
The Grammar Problem
“Regards” is a plural noun, and the phrase in regards to has no grammatical foundation in traditional English rules.
❌ Incorrect structure:
in + regards + to
Where You’ll Still See It
Despite being incorrect, in regards to appears:
- In casual speech
- On social media
- In unedited online content
- In non-native English writing
Important Note (2026 Context)
Search engines like Google may understand the intent, but professional writing standards still favor correctness — especially for:
- SEO content
- Authority-based blogs
- Legal or academic writing
- E-E-A-T–focused content
🚫 In short:
In regards to = commonly used, but grammatically incorrect.
⭐ Key Differences Between “In Regard To” and “In Regards To”
Here’s a clear comparison to settle the confusion instantly.
Comparison Table: In Regard To vs In Regards To
| Feature | In Regard To | In Regards To |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical Status | ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Standard English | Yes | No |
| Accepted in Formal Writing | Yes | No |
| Dictionary Approved | Yes | No |
| Used in Professional Content | Yes | Should be avoided |
| SEO & E-E-A-T Friendly | Yes | Risky |
| Sounds Natural in Speech | Yes | Yes (but misleading) |
Simple Rule to Remember
- Use: in regard to ✅
- Avoid: in regards to ❌
🧠 If you’re writing anything important, “in regard to” is always the safer choice.
🎭 Real-Life Conversation Examples (5 Dialogues)
Dialogue 1
Ali: “I sent an email in regards to the project.”
Sara: “Small correction — it should be in regard to.”
Ali: “Oh wow, I didn’t know that!”
🎯 Lesson: In regard to is the grammatically correct phrase.
Dialogue 2
Hassan: “My blog editor fixed in regards to everywhere.”
Zain: “Yeah, editors always prefer in regard to.”
🎯 Lesson: Professional writing avoids in regards to.
Dialogue 3
Ayesha: “Google still shows results for in regards to.”
Fatima: “True, but correctness matters more than popularity.”
🎯 Lesson: Common usage doesn’t equal correct grammar.
Dialogue 4
Usman: “Does using in regards to affect SEO?”
Bilal: “Indirectly, yes. Authority content needs clean grammar.”
🎯 Lesson: Grammar supports trust and E-E-A-T signals.
Dialogue 5
Maria: “I’ll stick with in regard to from now on.”
Nadia: “Smart move — one less mistake to worry about.”
🎯 Lesson: Choose clarity and correctness every time.
🧭 When to Use “In Regard To” vs “In Regards To”
✅ Use In Regard To When You:
- Write emails or business messages
- Publish blog posts or SEO content
- Create academic or legal documents
- Want professional, polished English
- Follow Google’s E-E-A-T standards
🚫 Avoid In Regards To When You:
- Write anything formal or public
- Want to sound authoritative
- Care about grammar credibility
- Publish content under your name or brand
💡 Quick Tip:
If you can replace the phrase with “about”, then “in regard to” will always work.
🎉 Fun Facts & Language History
- “In regard to” dates back hundreds of years and comes from formal English correspondence traditions.
- Many grammar experts believe “in regards to” spread due to conversational shortcuts and repetition, not correctness.
- Major style guides (APA, AP, Chicago) do not endorse “in regards to.”
Language evolves — but clarity and correctness still matter.
🏁 Conclusion
The difference between in regard to and in regards to may seem small, but it has a big impact on how your writing is perceived. In regard to is the grammatically correct, professional, and widely accepted phrase. In regards to, while common in speech, doesn’t follow standard English rules and should be avoided in formal or published writing.
If you care about clarity, credibility, SEO, and strong communication, choose “in regard to” every time.
Next time someone mentions in regard to or in regards to, you’ll know exactly what they mean — and which one to use with confidence. 😉
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