You’ve seen it in emails. You’ve read it in formal letters. Maybe you’ve typed it yourself.
“In regard to…”
“In regards to…”
At first glance, both sound correct. Both appear in professional communication. Both seem polite. So why does this phrase cause so much confusion?
People search “In regard or in regards” because they want clarity. Is one grammatically wrong? Is one more formal? Does it matter in emails? And most importantly — will using the wrong version make you look unprofessional?
In 2026, language moves fast. Texting habits influence workplace writing. Slack messages blur into email etiquette. Social media reshapes grammar standards. Small differences now carry bigger perception weight.
This article will give you:
- The correct grammatical form
- Why the confusion exists
- How texting culture influenced usage
- When each version appears
- What professionals actually expect
- Clear do’s and don’ts
By the end, you’ll know exactly which phrase to use — and when to avoid both.
2. What Does “In Regard or In Regards” Mean in Text?
The Correct Form: “In Regard To”
The grammatically correct phrase is:
In regard to (singular)
It means:
- Concerning
- About
- With reference to
Example:
In regard to your application, we will respond next week.
Here, “regard” functions as a noun meaning attention, consideration, or reference.
What About “In Regards To”?
“In regards to” (plural) is widely used — but traditionally considered nonstandard in formal grammar.
It means the same thing:
- About
- Concerning
However, most style guides still prefer the singular form.
What It Does NOT Mean
Many people assume “in regards to” is plural because:
- We say “best regards” in email sign-offs
- “Regards” feels more natural in modern speech
But these are different grammatical constructions.
“In regard to” is a fixed prepositional phrase.
It does not function like “send my regards.”
That’s the core misunderstanding.
3. Is “In Regard or In Regards” a Slang, Typo, or Intentional Usage?
This is where digital linguistics gets interesting.
It Is NOT Slang
Neither version is slang. Both are formal expressions.
It Is NOT Just a Typo
“In regards to” is not usually a typo. It’s a usage shift.
Many people intentionally write it because:
- It sounds more natural
- It mirrors “best regards”
- It feels smoother in spoken English
Why the Plural Spread
Three major forces shaped this:
- Email closing phrases (“Regards,” “Best regards”)
- Conversational tone in workplace chat
- Language simplification in texting culture
Your brain hears “regards” more often than “regard.” So it defaults to plural.
How to Tell the Difference
In professional writing:
- Use in regard to
In casual internal team messages:
- Either version appears, but singular remains safer.
4. Origin and Evolution in Digital Communication
Early Formal English
“In regard to” dates back centuries in formal correspondence. It appeared in legal and diplomatic writing.
It was always singular.
Email Era (1990s–2010s)
As email replaced letters, “Regards” became a common sign-off.
Example:
Kind regards,
Best regards,
This repetition subconsciously reinforced the plural form.
SMS & Messaging Apps
Texting shortened everything:
- FYI
- Re:
- Regarding
- About
“In regard to” became less common in casual messaging. But when people tried to sound formal, they often guessed — and guessed wrong.
2026 Reality
Today, “in regards to” appears frequently in:
- Corporate emails
- LinkedIn posts
- Customer service replies
But grammar authorities still mark it as informal or less correct.
Language evolves. Standards shift slowly.
5. Real-World Usage Scenarios
a) Casual Friend Conversations
Rarely used. Sounds overly formal.
Example:
In regard to dinner tonight, are we still on?
That feels stiff. A friend would say:
About dinner tonight…
Tone: Formal and distant.
b) Workplace & Professional Chat
Formal Email
Correct:
In regard to your request, please see the attached document.
Less correct but common:
In regards to your request, please see the attached document.
Tone difference:
- Singular = polished
- Plural = slightly conversational
Informal Team Slack
In regards to the new update, we’re pushing it Friday.
Here, it feels neutral. Few colleagues would notice.
c) Social Media & Online Communities
Rare overall. But when used, often plural.
Example:
In regards to the rumors, that’s not true.
On platforms like LinkedIn, the plural version appears more often than grammar guides would suggest.
Tone: Semi-formal but modern.
6. Emotional Tone and Intent
Language signals subtle intent.
Singular: “In Regard To”
Feels:
- Controlled
- Professional
- Structured
- Intentional
Used in:
- Legal writing
- Official communication
- Academic settings
Plural: “In Regards To”
Feels:
- Slightly conversational
- Softer
- Less rigid
Punctuation & Emojis
Without punctuation:
In regards to your message
Feels incomplete or rushed.
With comma:
In regard to your message, I agree.
Feels formal.
With emoji:
In regards to your idea 😊 I love it!
Now it feels friendly and informal.
Small cues shift tone dramatically.
7. Cultural and Regional Differences
Native English Speakers
Most native speakers:
- Use both forms interchangeably in speech
- Prefer singular in formal writing
Non-Native Speakers
Often choose plural because:
- “Regards” appears more often in textbooks
- Email templates use “Best regards”
Regional Habits
American business English increasingly tolerates the plural form in internal communication.
British English tends to maintain stricter singular usage in formal writing.
Cross-Platform Influence
LinkedIn normalizes plural usage.
Academic journals do not.
Platform matters.
8. Compared With Similar Terms
| Phrase | Meaning | Tone | Formality | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In regard to | Concerning | Neutral, professional | High | Emails, reports |
| In regards to | Concerning | Slightly conversational | Medium | Internal teams |
| Regarding | About | Direct, efficient | High | Business writing |
| With respect to | Concerning | Formal, precise | Very High | Legal writing |
| About | Concerning | Casual | Low | Texts, chats |
Best Modern Alternative
“Regarding” is cleaner and more concise.
Example:
Regarding your request, we will reply tomorrow.
Shorter. Stronger. Safer.
9. Common Misunderstandings and Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking Both Are Equally Formal
They are not equally accepted in traditional grammar.
Mistake 2: Using It in Casual Texting
It sounds stiff in everyday chat.
Mistake 3: Autocorrect Confusion
Some keyboards default to “regards” because it appears more frequently in typing history.
Mistake 4: Overuse
Repeating the phrase in multiple paragraphs makes writing feel robotic.
Better to vary language:
- About
- Regarding
- Concerning
- On the topic of
10. Is It Polite, Rude, or Unprofessional?
Neither version is rude.
But perception varies by context.
Professional Setting
Safest choice:
In regard to
Using plural won’t destroy credibility. But in high-stakes documents — proposals, legal emails, executive communication — singular protects you.
Internal Workplace Communication
Both are generally acceptable.
Academic or Legal Context
Use singular only.
Precision matters.
11. Expert Linguistic Insight: Text Language in 2026
Digital communication reshapes grammar in three ways:
1. Frequency Bias
Words we type often become default mental patterns.
“Regards” appears constantly in email sign-offs. So the brain pluralizes automatically.
2. Efficiency Over Tradition
Modern writing values speed and clarity.
That’s why “regarding” is replacing both forms in business writing.
3. Standard Drift
When enough people use a structure consistently, dictionaries eventually adapt.
“In regards to” is currently labeled informal. It may eventually become fully accepted. But in 2026, traditional grammar still favors singular.
Language is democratic — but slow to certify change.
12. How and When You Should Use It
Use “In Regard To” When:
- Writing formal emails
- Drafting reports
- Communicating with clients
- Writing academic papers
- Responding to legal matters
Avoid Both When:
- Texting friends
- Writing casual Slack messages
- Posting conversational social media content
Instead use:
- About
- Regarding
- On
- Re:
Practical Rule
If the message affects reputation or authority — use singular.
If it’s casual internal communication — either works, but singular still sounds sharper.
13. FAQs About “In Regard or In Regards”
1. Which is grammatically correct: in regard or in regards?
“In regard to” is grammatically correct in formal English.
2. Is “in regards to” wrong?
It’s considered informal or nonstandard but widely used in everyday communication.
3. Do native speakers say “in regards to”?
Yes, especially in speech and casual business writing.
4. Is it unprofessional to use “in regards to”?
Not severely, but in high-level professional documents, singular is safer.
5. What is a better alternative?
“Regarding” is shorter and universally accepted.
6. Why do people add the “s”?
Because of frequent exposure to “best regards” in email sign-offs.
7. Is this difference important in 2026?
Yes, in formal contexts. Less so in casual internal communication.
8. Should I correct someone who uses “in regards to”?
Only in academic or editorial roles. Otherwise, it’s rarely worth highlighting.
14. Final Summary and Key Takeaways
The correct formal phrase is:
In regard to
The plural version exists because of:
- Email habits
- Frequency bias
- Natural language drift
In professional, academic, or legal settings, use the singular form.
In casual internal communication, plural may appear — but singular remains stronger.
If you want the cleanest modern alternative, use:
Regarding
Language evolves. Precision still signals credibility.
Choose intentionally.