Stop using "in regards to." Just stop. It’s clunky. It feels like you’re trying to wear a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue. People use it because they think it makes them sound smarter or more professional, but usually, it just clogs up the sentence.
You’ve likely seen it a thousand times in emails or legal documents. "In regards to your recent inquiry..." or "In regards to the new policy..." It sounds official. It sounds heavy. But here’s the kicker: it’s often technically incorrect. Most style guides, from AP to Chicago, will tell you that the proper phrase is actually "in regard to" (singular) or "as regards." Adding that "s" at the end of "regard" turns it into something else entirely—like "give my regards to Broadway."
But even if you get the grammar right, why use three words when one will do? Language should be a tool, not a barrier. When we larded our writing with these "zombie phrases," we lose the reader's attention. We make them work too hard.
The problem with "in regards to" and why we keep doing it
Why do we do this to ourselves? Humans have a weird psychological tick where we think length equals authority. If a memo is short, we think it’s casual. If it’s stuffed with "in regards to," "notwithstanding the fact that," and "at this point in time," we think it’s serious business.
It’s called "nominalization" or sometimes "officialese."
Think about the last time you read a corporate email. Was it clear? Probably not. It was likely a thicket of prepositional phrases. We use "in regards to" as a transition because we don't know how to bridge two ideas naturally. It acts as a linguistic crutch. You’re standing on one side of a thought, and you need to get to the next, so you throw down this awkward plank of a phrase to walk across.
But planks are tripping hazards.
Better ways to say the same thing
If you want to sound like a real person—and actually get your point across—you have plenty of options. Most of them are shorter. All of them are punchier.
Regarding
This is the closest direct swap. It’s one word. It’s clean. "Regarding your email" sounds much better than "In regards to your email." It still feels professional but loses the "I’m trying too hard" vibe.
About
Use this. Seriously. "I’m writing about the schedule" is infinitely better than the alternatives. People are afraid of the word "about" because it feels too simple. It feels like something a third-grader would write. But simplicity is actually the highest form of sophistication. If you can explain a complex project "about" a specific topic, you've won.
Concerning
This one is a bit more formal. It’s good for when you need to sound serious but want to avoid the clunkiness of the three-word phrase. It carries a bit of weight.
On
You’d be surprised how often "on" works. "My thoughts on the proposal" vs "My thoughts in regards to the proposal." See? Much better.
When "in regards to" is actually a mistake
Grammar nerds will jump down your throat for this one, and honestly, they kind of have a point. "In regards to" is a mashing together of two different, correct phrases.
- In regard to: This is the standard, accepted idiom.
- As regards: This is also technically correct, though it feels a bit British and old-fashioned to some American ears.
When people say "in regards to," they are mixing the "s" from "as regards" into the "in regard to" structure. It’s a linguistic mutation. While language evolves and "in regards to" is becoming more common in casual speech, it still sticks out like a sore thumb in professional writing. If you’re applying for a job or writing a legal brief, that extra "s" might actually cost you some credibility with a certain type of reader.
Context is everything
Sometimes you do want to be formal. Maybe you're writing a letter to a judge. Maybe you're responding to a formal complaint. In those cases, "regarding" is still your best friend.
But what about "as for"?
"As for the budget, we'll handle that next week." That's a great way to pivot. It’s conversational but firm. It sets a boundary.
Then there’s "with respect to." This is the heavy-duty version. Use it sparingly. It’s common in scientific papers or philosophy. "With respect to the initial findings, the data suggests..." It works because it implies a specific relationship between two technical points.
The "So What?" factor
Why does any of this matter? Because your writing is your brand. Whether you're a freelancer, a CEO, or just someone trying to get a refund from an airline, how you use words determines how people treat you.
Vague, wordy language makes you seem unsure of yourself. It makes it look like you're hiding behind jargon.
Specific, lean language makes you seem confident.
When you strip away the filler, your actual ideas have to stand on their own. That’s scary for some people. If you remove "in regards to," you might realize your sentence doesn't actually say much. That's a good thing to realize! It means you can fix the thought, not just the word.
Real-world examples of the swap
Let’s look at how this plays out in real life.
🔗 Read more: Why the Fade Haircut with Long on Top is Still the Best Choice for Most Men
Original: "In regards to the meeting we had yesterday, I think we need to pivot."
Better: "After yesterday's meeting, I think we need to pivot."
Best: "We need to pivot based on yesterday's meeting."
Notice how the "Best" version puts the action first? That’s what strong writing does. It doesn't clear its throat for ten seconds before saying something. It just says it.
Original: "I am writing to you in regards to your subscription."
Better: "I'm writing about your subscription."
Even Better: "Your subscription is about to expire."
The second version is more direct. The third version is the most effective because it gets straight to the "why."
A quick list of alternatives to keep in your back pocket
Don't overthink it. Just pick one that fits the "vibe" of your message.
- About: The gold standard for clarity.
- Regarding: Professional and sleek.
- On: Great for titles or subject lines.
- As for: Perfect for switching topics.
- Concerning: Good for serious or sensitive matters.
- Following up on: The best way to start a second email.
- Re: Use this in subject lines, but rarely in the body of a sentence.
Common misconceptions about "official" writing
A lot of people think that to be "professional," you have to sound like a 19th-century barrister. You don't. In fact, most modern business writing experts—people like Bryan Garner or the folks at the Harvard Business Review—advocate for plain English.
The goal of communication is the transfer of an idea from one brain to another with as little static as possible. "In regards to" is static. It’s the "hiss" on an old vinyl record.
There's also this idea that "more words = more value." If you're a student trying to hit a word count, sure, "in regards to" is a tempting way to add three words. But in the real world, people are busy. They are reading your email on a phone while walking to a meeting. They want the "TL;DR" (Too Long; Didn't Read).
How to break the habit
It's hard to stop using a phrase once it's hardwired into your brain. You start typing an email and your fingers just go to the "I," the "n," the "r..."
The best way to fix this is to do a "search and destroy" mission during your editing phase.
Write your draft. Don't worry about being perfect. Just get the words out. Then, before you hit send, hit Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on a Mac). Search for "regard."
If you see "in regards to," delete it. Try to replace it with "about" or "regarding." Or better yet, see if you can delete the whole phrase and just start the sentence with the subject.
Actionable insights for your next piece of writing
You don't need a PhD in linguistics to write well. You just need to be mindful.
- Check the plural: If you absolutely must use the phrase, use "in regard to." Lose the "s." Your high-school English teacher will thank you from afar.
- The "About" Test: Every time you want to use a long prepositional phrase, try substituting the word "about." If it works, use it. If it feels too informal, use "regarding."
- Start with the subject: Often, you don't need a transition at all. Instead of "In regards to the report, it is finished," just say "The report is finished."
- Read it aloud: If you wouldn't say "in regards to" while grabbing a coffee with a friend, don't write it in an email to a colleague.
- Vary your transitions: If you use "regarding" in the first paragraph, try "as for" in the third. It keeps the reader's brain engaged.
Good writing is about making choices, not following a script. By ditching clunky phrases like "in regards to," you're choosing clarity over fluff. You're choosing the reader's time over your own habit. And honestly, that's the best way to make sure your message actually gets heard.
Next time you're about to type those three words, pause. Ask yourself if "about" will do the trick. Usually, it will. Your emails will be shorter, your points will be sharper, and you'll stop sounding like a corporate robot.
Next Steps for Better Writing:
Open your "Sent" folder in your email. Search for the word "regards." Count how many times you used it as a transition versus how many times you used it as a sign-off (like "Best regards"). For every instance of "in regards to," try rewriting that sentence in your head using "about" or "on." This simple awareness exercise will do more for your writing style than any grammar textbook ever could. Once you see how unnecessary the phrase is, you'll start seeing it everywhere—and you'll be glad you stopped using it.