I Am Reaching Out In Regards To | Cleaner Email Openers

You see this email line everywhere. It pops up in job applications, networking notes, sales pitches, and student messages to teachers. Many writers type it because they have seen it in other messages and want to sound polite and serious. The problem is that this phrase is long, cloudy, and easy to skip, so readers may rush past it to hunt for the real point.

This guide walks you through what the phrase actually means, why some style guides frown on it, and what to write instead. With a few small changes, you can keep a respectful tone and still sound clear and human.

What Does I Am Reaching Out In Regards To Mean?

On the surface, this wording just says, “I am contacting you about something.” It shows up near the start of many formal emails, usually right after a greeting and before the main request. Writers often reach for it when they do not feel sure how formal they need to be, so they add extra words for safety.

The phrase breaks down into three parts. “I am reaching out” signals contact. “In regards” tries to point to a topic. “To” connects that topic to the rest of the sentence. Put together, it sounds heavy and slightly vague. It does not clearly say what you want or why the reader should care.

Grammar Notes Around In Regard To

There is also a grammar wrinkle here. Traditional style guides treat “in regard to” as the standard form and view “in regards to” as casual or nonstandard. Many people still write the version with the extra s, especially in email, but some readers notice the difference at once. When you write to a hiring manager or professor, small details like this can shape their first impression.

Modern writing advice from sources such as the UNC effective email communication handout also pushes writers toward short, direct phrasing. Long chains like this kind of reaching out line sit on the opposite side of that advice. They take space without adding much meaning.

Why The Phrase Feels So Wordy

Readers scan email quickly. When your first line spends six or seven words saying “I am contacting you,” their eyes have to do extra work before they reach the useful part. That delay adds up when your message lands in a crowded inbox. Many busy readers skip to the second or third sentence to find the actual request.

Wordy openers also make your tone feel distant. The phrase sounds like it came from a template, not from a real person who sat down to write this message. That distance can hurt you in networking, job searches, or customer contact, where a clear human voice helps you stand out in a stack of messages.

Quick View Of Common Email Openers

To see where this phrase fits, compare it with other openers people use in formal or semi formal email.

Opener Phrase	Tone	Best Use
Long reaching out phrase with regards	Extra formal, wordy	Rarely needed; long corporate emails
I am reaching out about	Formal, a bit softer	Cold outreach, first contact with a client
I am writing about	Formal, direct	Job applications, student messages to teachers
I am getting in touch about	Neutral, friendly	Networking, follow up after a meeting
I wanted to follow up about	Neutral, active	Second email after no reply
I have a quick question about	Neutral, focused	Short request, internal email
Could you help me with	Polite, direct	Requests where you need a clear action

Small edits change both clarity and tone. You do not lose any respect by trimming extra words. In many settings, you gain trust because readers can see what you want at once.

Reaching Out In Regards To Phrases That Feel Natural

If you like a formal sound but want less clutter, you can swap this phrase for shorter versions that keep the same purpose. The goal is to reach a friendly middle ground: polite, but clear enough that your reader does not have to guess what comes next.

Shorter Direct Versions

These options keep the sense of contact but drop the extra filler. They work well in most business or academic emails.

• I am writing about… Simple and clear. Works in job applications, reference requests, and client emails.

• I am reaching out about… Still formal, but smoother than the longer version with “in regards to.”

• I am getting in touch about… Slightly warmer, a good fit for networking or partnership notes.

• I wanted to ask about… Useful when your email centers on one clear question.

When You Still Use The Long Phrase

There are moments when the full phrase can work. Some offices rely on strict formal templates for legal, finance, or government email. If your team has a shared template and your manager expects you to match it, you can keep the phrase there. In that case, make the rest of the email as clear and direct as possible.

You might also keep the phrase inside a long message that deals with a sensitive topic. The formality can add distance when emotions run high. Even then, you can often swap in “I am writing about” without losing any of that care.

Planning Your Email Around The Main Purpose

Before you choose any opener, decide what you want the reader to do after they finish your message. A clear goal makes the first sentence much easier to write. You can then pick the phrase that lines up with that goal.

Match The Opener To Your Goal

Think about three common goals: to request something, to share an update, or to build a connection. Each one fits a slightly different first line.

Requesting Something Specific

When you ask for time, money, or help, the reader needs to see the request early. A line such as “I am writing about the marketing role posted on your website” points straight at the topic. You can then add one or two short sentences that show why you are a good match or why the request makes sense.

Building Or Maintaining A Connection

Networking or follow up email often has a softer goal. You want to keep a relationship alive without sounding pushy. A line like “It was great to meet you during the networking event, and I am writing about the research internship you mentioned” balances warmth with a clear purpose.

Linking Back To Subject Lines

Your opener also needs to match your subject line. If your subject says “Question about ENGL 105 assignment,” do not start the email by talking about something else. The subject and first line should feel like one short pair. Style guides such as the Purdue OWL email etiquette guide stress this kind of clarity because it saves time for readers.

Examples That Replace This Reaching Out Phrase

Now let us move from general advice to concrete samples. These short templates show how you can swap out the long phrase in real messages. You can adjust names, dates, and details to match your own situation.

Job Application Email

Subject: Application For Marketing Assistant Role

Opening line: I am writing about the Marketing Assistant position listed on your careers page.

Then add one short paragraph that links your skills to the role, mention that your resume is attached, and close with a simple thank you. There is no need for a line like “I am contacting you about my application” because the subject and opening line already state the purpose.

Student Email To A Professor

Subject: Question About The Midterm Essay Prompt

Opening line: I am writing about the midterm essay prompt for your ENG 210 class.

Follow that line with your exact question. Busy instructors read many student emails every week. A short, clear opener helps them see at once what you need so they can reply quickly.

Email Opening Templates For Common Situations

Use the table below as a quick reference when you write. Each row pairs a common situation with a short subject line and an opener that keeps your tone professional without leaning on “I am reaching out in regards to.”

Situation	Subject Line	Sample Opener
Applying for a job	Application For [Job Title]	I am writing about the [Job Title] position posted on your site.
Following up after no reply	Following Up On My Application	I wanted to follow up about my application for the [Job Title] role.
Networking after an event	Nice Meeting You At [Event]	It was great to meet you at [Event], and I am getting in touch about [Topic].
Student question for a class	Question About [Course] Assignment	I am writing about the [Assignment Name] for your [Course] class.
Project update for a client	Update On [Project Name]	I am writing with an update on [Project Name].
Requesting a meeting	Meeting Request For [Topic]	I am writing to ask whether we could meet to talk about [Topic].
Requesting information	Question About [Policy Or Process]	I have a quick question about [Policy Or Process] and would value your help.

Practical Tips For Clear, Polite Email Openers

To finish, here is a short checklist you can run before you press send on any formal email. These points keep your opener, subject line, and main request working together.

Keep The Purpose Up Front

Place the reason for your message in the first one or two sentences. Long softening phrases push your request down the page. A clear first line saves time for both you and your reader.

Cut Filler Words Where You Can

After you draft your email, read the first line again. If it opens with a long reaching out phrase, try trimming it down. Replace it with “I am writing about” or a similar shorter phrase. Then remove any extra phrases that do not add new information.

Check For Clear Subject Lines

Your subject line should name the topic of the email, not just say “Hello” or “Question.” A clear subject makes it easier for the reader to find your message later. It also helps your opener feel connected to the rest of the email.

Proofread Before You Press Send

Small errors in spelling or grammar can distract from your main message. Read your email one more time, paying special attention to names, dates, and links. A short pause before you press send can prevent confusion and extra back and forth later.

When you understand what “I am reaching out in regards to” actually does in a sentence, you can decide whether it earns a place in your email. Most of the time, a shorter, clearer opener will help your message land better, earn faster replies, and show respect for your reader’s time.