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Prepositions with regard

Which prepositions go with regard?

Regard appears in several fixed expressions. With regard to and without regard for are especially common.

Quick answer

Most common expressions

Use with regard to to mean concerning. Use without regard for to mean without considering something. In regard to is also used, especially in American English. As regard is nonstandard in modern English; use as regards or with regard to instead.

I am writing with regard to your application.
The decision was made without regard for public opinion.
She spoke in regard to the new rules.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
with regard to + topic

Referring to a subject

Use this formal phrase to mean concerning or about.

We have questions with regard to the contract.
2
without regard for + factor

Ignoring something

Use this expression when something is not considered.

The law applies without regard for age or income.
3
in regard to + topic

Alternative formal expression

In regard to has a similar meaning to with regard to.

He commented in regard to the budget.
4
regard for + person or quality

Showing respect or consideration

Use regard for to express care, respect, or concern.

She has deep regard for her teachers.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
with regard to
I am contacting you with regard to the schedule.
concerning or about
without regard for
They acted without regard for safety.
without considering something
in regard to
The memo in regard to staffing was approved.
concerning or about
as regard
As regard the budget, the phrase sounds nonstandard.
not standard modern English; use as regards or with regard to
of regard
The phrase of regard is not an established expression.
generally nonstandard in modern English

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using as regard in modern standard English

Use as regards, regarding, or with regard to instead.

✕ as regard your request ✓ with regard to your request

Using without regard to instead of without regard for

Without regard for is the usual expression when meaning without consideration.

✕ without regard to safety ✓ without regard for safety

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I am emailing you ___ regard to the invoice.
2. The policy was applied without regard ___ income.
3. The manager spoke in regard ___ staffing changes.

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Frequently asked questions

Is with regard to formal?

Yes. It is common in business and official communication.

Can I use in regard to instead?

Yes. It has a similar meaning and is especially common in American English.

Is as regard correct?

No. In modern standard English, use as regards, regarding, or with regard to.

with, dignity, of, dignity "with disability" or "of disability"? "with distinction" or "of distinction"? "with emphasis" or "of emphasis"? "with friend" or "of friend"? with, of, to, between or for husband? with, of, under, for or in load? "without exception", "of exception" or "with exception"? "without notice" or "of notice"? "without warning" or "of warning"? "with partner" or "of partner"? "with smile" or "of smile"?

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