In The Regards Of | Correct Usage And Clean Alternatives

You’ve seen it in emails, essays, and comment threads: in regards of. It sounds formal, so it slips into writing fast. The snag is simple. Dictionaries treat that wording as nonstandard when you mean “about” or “concerning.”

This page shows what to write instead, why the “s” trips people up, and how to pick a phrase that fits your tone. You’ll also get quick rewrites you can paste into an email or a school paper.

What writers usually mean when they type “In The Regards Of”

Most people reach for in regards of when they’re trying to point a reader toward a topic. Think: “about my application,” “concerning your order,” or “on the subject of next week’s class.” The intent is clear.

The grammar is where it goes sideways. Regards is commonly used as a plural noun in closings (“give my regards,” “kind regards”). That sense is about goodwill, not topic. When you want the “topic” sense, standard English uses the singular noun regard.

What You’re Trying To Say	Best Phrase To Use	Quick Example
About a topic	in regard to	I’m writing in regard to your request.
About a topic (slightly formal)	with regard to	With regard to the schedule, Friday works.
Short and neutral	regarding	Regarding the draft, I added notes.
Direct and plain	about	About the meeting: I’ll be 10 minutes late.
Pointing to a single issue	as for	As for the receipt, it’s attached.
Formal, policy-style	with respect to	With respect to grading, the rubric applies.
Separating topics in a list	on	On parking, the lot closes at 6.
When you mean a sign-off	regards	Please send my regards to your family.

Why “regards” sounds right but lands wrong

English is full of phrases that feel official because we’ve heard them in letters. “Regards” shows up in sign-offs, so it carries that “letter voice.” That’s why this wording can feel safe at a glance.

Yet dictionaries define in regard to as meaning “concerning,” and they define with regard to as a close match. The singular noun is the clue: one “regard” as in one “matter.”

Plural regards, by contrast, is tied to esteem or well-wishes. That’s a different lane. When your sentence is pointing to a subject, the plural form tends to read like a mix of two phrases that don’t belong together.

Choosing between “in regard to” and “with regard to”

Both are correct. The choice is mostly about rhythm and tone.

When “in regard to” fits best

In regard to is slightly shorter and often reads smoother in a sentence with extra detail after it.

• We spoke in regard to the lab change and the new deadline.
• I have one question in regard to your invoice.

When “with regard to” fits best

With regard to has a classic letter feel. It works well at the start of a sentence, especially in school or workplace writing.

• With regard to the project timeline, I can send a revised plan.
• With regard to travel, I can’t meet before Monday.

What about “with regards to”

You’ll see it a lot. Many editors still mark it as an error for the same reason: regards points to sign-offs, not subject. If you want a neat fix, drop the “s.”

Clean alternatives when you want fewer words

Sometimes you don’t want a formal phrase at all. You want the sentence to get out of its own way. These swaps keep the meaning and cut bulk.

“Regarding” for quick emails

Regarding is a solid choice when the rest of the sentence carries the details. It also works well after a subject line that already names the topic.

• Regarding your appointment, I can do 3:30 or 4:00.
• Regarding the assignment, the rubric is in the portal.

“About” for plain speech

About is direct and friendly. It fits text messages, Slack, and notes to classmates.

• About tomorrow’s quiz, do we need a calculator?
• About the group work, I can take slides 3–5.

“As for” when you’re switching topics

As for works when you’re moving from one point to the next. It sounds natural in lists and Q&A style writing.

• As for the budget, we can trim printing costs.
• As for lunch, I’m fine with anything.

Using the phrase in real sentences without sounding stiff

Formal phrases can feel heavy when they show up in every other line. A simple pattern keeps your writing clean: name the topic once, then use pronouns or the plain word about after that.

Try this two-sentence approach:

1. Start with the topic: “I’m writing in regard to the internship application.”
2. Follow with the action: “Could you confirm the reference deadline?”

You get clarity, then you get to the point.

Where the error shows up most often

The slip into this wording tends to happen in three places: formal emails, academic writing, and policy-style notes. Each has an easy fix.

Emails and messages

If you’re writing to a teacher, employer, or office, keep the opener short and use one clean phrase. Avoid stacking “regarding,” “in regard to,” and “about” in the same message.

Good: “I’m emailing in regard to the exam date.”

Better for a fast note: “I’m emailing about the exam date.”

Essays and reports

In essays, the phrase often appears in topic sentences. A reader will notice it more there, so it’s worth choosing the cleanest option.

Try: “This section reviews prior work with regard to data privacy.”

Or, if the tone is less formal: “This section reviews prior work about data privacy.”

Policies and instructions

For rules, syllabi, and handbooks, with respect to and regarding are common. Use them when the surrounding style is already formal.

Subject lines and memo headers that stay clean

A lot of people add a topic phrase because their subject line is vague. If the subject line names the topic, your first sentence can stay plain.

Try this pattern:

• Subject: Exam date change
• Body: Hi Dr. Lee — I saw the new date. Can you confirm the room number?

If you’re writing a longer message, a light header can help, too. A simple “Topic:” line is clearer than forcing the nonstandard version into the first sentence.

One more tip: many people copy “Re:” into a subject line because they’ve seen it in older memo formats. In email, “Re:” often looks like a reply tag. If it’s not a reply, skip it and name the topic instead.

Two checks that catch the mistake before you send

When you’re tired or rushing, your eyes glide past the “s.” These two checks catch it fast.

Check one: swap in “about”

Read the sentence and replace the phrase with about. If the sentence still makes sense, you meant “topic,” so write in regard to, with regard to, regarding, or just about.

Sample: “In regards of the lab, I had a question.” → “About the lab, I had a question.” That tells you the fix.

Check two: ask “Am I sending wishes?”

If you are sending well-wishes, use regards near the end of the message. If you are not, keep regards out of the topic sentence.

Quick fixes you can apply in seconds

If you spot in the regards of in your draft, you can repair it with a simple checklist.

• If you mean “concerning,” change it to in regard to.
• If you want a letter tone, change it to with regard to.
• If the sentence feels long, swap in regarding or about.
• If you mean a sign-off, keep regards, then rewrite the rest as a closing line.

Common rewrites to clean English

Below are quick before-and-after rewrites. Each keeps your meaning while fixing the grammar.

These swaps keep tone intact.

Original Wording	Cleaner Rewrite	Why It Reads Better
In regards of my application, I’m following up.	In regard to my application, I’m following up.	Uses the standard singular noun for “topic.”
In regards of the meeting, can we reschedule?	With regard to the meeting, can we reschedule?	Keeps a formal tone without the plural error.
In regards of your last email, I agree.	Regarding your last email, I agree.	Shortens the opener and keeps the point clear.
In regards of the assignment, I had a question.	About the assignment, I had a question.	Plain wording suits student messages.
In regards of pricing, the fee changed.	On pricing, the fee changed.	Works well when listing topics.
In regards of my family, thank you.	Please send my regards to my family, and thank you.	Uses “regards” only for sign-offs.
In regards of your feedback, I updated the file.	In regard to your feedback, I updated the file.	Clear, standard, and easy to scan.

Mini practice you can run in one minute

Read each line, then pick the cleaner rewrite that fits your tone.

Read it aloud; your ear catches odd phrasing.

• Draft: “In regards of the syllabus, what pages are due?” → “In regard to the syllabus, what pages are due?” / “About the syllabus, what pages are due?”
• Draft: “In regards of your application, we need one form.” → “With regard to your application, we need one form.” / “Regarding your application, we need one form.”
• Draft: “In regards of my parents, thanks for your time.” → “Please send my regards to my parents, and thanks for your time.”

Small style moves that make your writing feel natural

Once you pick the right phrase, style still matters. These small moves keep your sentences from feeling stiff.

Put the topic close to the verb

Instead of: “With regard to the items that were mentioned in the last meeting, I will…” try: “I’ll update the items we mentioned last meeting.” Save the formal phrase for cases where you truly need it.

Use one topic phrase per paragraph

If every sentence starts with “in regard to,” the writing starts to drag. Use it once, then keep going with plain words.

Match the phrase to the relationship

For a professor, a supervisor, or a front office, in regard to is fine. For a friend or teammate, about often reads better.

If you’re unsure, read the line aloud and pick the shortest wording that keeps the meaning clear today.

Fast recap before you hit send

When you catch yourself typing in regards of, swap it out. Use in regard to or with regard to for the “topic” meaning. Save regards for sign-offs. Then keep the rest of the sentence plain, direct, and focused on the action you want.