Regard vs. Regards – Which is Correct?

The distinction between regard and regards hinges on their grammatical roles: regard functions primarily as a verb meaning to consider or look at, or a noun meaning respect or attention. Regards is most commonly used as a plural noun in expressions of greeting or good wishes, or as the third-person singular present tense of the verb “to regard.”

Regard or Regards – Which is Correct?

Both “regard” and “regards” are correct in American English, but they serve different purposes. The key difference lies in their part of speech and common usage. “Regard” can be a verb, meaning to consider or look at, or a singular noun, referring to respect, attention, or a particular aspect. “Regards,” on the other hand, is most frequently used as a plural noun within the context of greetings or expressions of good wishes, such as “best regards” or “give my regards.” It can also be the third-person singular present tense of the verb “to regard.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think about whether you are expressing a greeting or describing an action/concept. If you’re sending good wishes, you’ll almost always use the plural regards (like “greetings”). If you’re talking about considering something, looking at something, or showing respect, you’ll use the singular regard. A simple “swap test” can help: if you can replace it with “greetings,” use “regards.” If you can replace it with “consider” or “respect,” use “regard.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Regard	Verb, Noun	(Verb) To consider, to look at; (Noun) Respect, attention, aspect.	“I regard her as a mentor.” (verb); “She holds him in high regard.” (noun)
Regards	Plural Noun, Verb (3rd person singular)	(Noun) Greetings, good wishes; (Verb) Considers, looks at.	“Please give my best regards to your family.” (noun); “He always regards the rules carefully.” (verb)

How to Use Regard

“Regard” is a versatile word that can function as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to consider, think of, or look at something or someone in a particular way. It can also mean to pay attention to or take into account. The tone can vary from neutral to formal. As a noun, “regard” typically refers to respect, esteem, attention, or a particular aspect or detail (often in phrases like “in this regard”).

Example 1 (Verb): “Many people regard the new policy as a step in the right direction.”

Example 2 (Noun – Respect): “She always spoke of her grandmother with great regard.”

Example 3 (Noun – Aspect): “The project was successful in every regard.”

What are the different forms of Regard?

As a verb, “regard” follows regular conjugation patterns:

• Present Tense: regard (I/you/we/they), regards (he/she/it)
• Past Tense: regarded
• Present Participle: regarding
• Past Participle: regarded

As a noun, “regard” is typically used in its singular form, especially when meaning respect or attention. However, its plural form “regards” is used for greetings (see next section).

Etymology of the word Regard

The word “regard” originated from the Old French regarder, meaning “to look back at, observe, or pay attention to.” It entered Middle English with similar meanings, evolving from Latin re- (“back, again”) and guarder (of Germanic origin, meaning “to watch, protect”). This etymology highlights its core sense of looking at or considering something carefully.

How to Use Regards

“Regards” is most commonly encountered as a plural noun, specifically in expressions of greeting or farewell. It conveys good wishes or respect, often used in closing a letter or email (“Best regards,” “Kind regards”). Less frequently, “regards” is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to regard,” meaning “he/she/it considers” or “looks at.”

Example 1 (Noun – Greetings): “Please extend my warmest regards to your parents.”

Example 2 (Noun – Email closing): “Sincerely, with best regards, John Doe.”

Example 3 (Verb – 3rd person singular): “The scientist regards the new data with skepticism.”

What are the different forms of Regards?

As a plural noun, “regards” is already in its plural form and is used as such in fixed expressions. When it functions as the third-person singular present tense of the verb “to regard,” it is a conjugated form of the verb “to regard.” There are no further “forms” of “regards” beyond these uses; its meaning is highly dependent on the context of “regard” as its root.

Etymology of the word Regards

The word “regards” derives directly from the noun “regard,” which traces back to Old French regarder. The ‘s’ ending indicates a plural noun, which, in the context of greetings, evolved to signify multiple expressions of good wishes or attention. Its use as a verb form simply reflects the standard English conjugation for third-person singular present tense verbs.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammar concepts can further clarify the correct usage of “regard” and “regards.”

• Nouns vs. Verbs: This is the fundamental distinction between the two words. A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea, while a verb describes an action or a state of being. Recognizing whether you need an action word or a naming word is crucial.
• Fixed Phrases and Idioms: Many common uses of “regards” (e.g., “best regards,” “in this regard”) are fixed phrases or idiomatic expressions. These often have specific meanings that aren’t always deducible from the individual words alone and must be learned as a unit.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I hold the manager in high regard for her leadership during the crisis.” (News Report, June 2026)
• “With kindest regards, I remain your obedient servant.” (From a historical letter)
• “He always regards his colleagues as valuable assets to the team.” (Business Journal, May 2026)
• “Please give my regards to everyone at the office.” (Casual conversation)
• “In this regard, the committee decided to postpone the vote.” (Legal document)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She spoke with great _______ for her mentor.
2. Kindly send my best _______ to your family.
3. He _______ the situation as a learning opportunity.
4. We must consider all aspects in this _______.
5. The email closed with “Warmest _______.”

Answer Key

1. regard
2. regards
3. regards
4. regard
5. regards

Regard Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
(Verb) Consider	To think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision.
(Verb) View	To look at or inspect; to consider or perceive in a specified way.
(Noun) Esteem	Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
(Noun) Attention	The act or power of fixing the mind on something.
(Noun) Aspect	A particular part or feature of something.

Regards Synonyms

Synonym / Equivalent Phrase	Definition
Greetings	An act of welcoming someone; a polite expression of good wishes.
Best wishes	An expression of hope for someone’s future happiness or welfare.
Salutations	A gesture or utterance made as a greeting or acknowledgment of another’s arrival or departure.
Respects	Polite greetings or deference, especially when paid to someone of higher status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: When should I use “kind regards” versus “kind regard”?
You should almost always use “kind regards” when closing an email or letter. “Kind regard” (singular) is grammatically correct but rarely used in modern English for greetings; it would imply a single act of kindness or consideration, not general good wishes.

Question 2: Is “in regard to” or “in regards to” correct?
The correct phrase is “in regard to,” meaning “concerning” or “with respect to.” “In regards to” is a common error and should be avoided in formal writing.

Question 3: Can “regard” be used to mean “look at”?
Yes, “regard” can mean to look at someone or something, often with a particular expression or in a specific way. For example, “He regarded her with suspicion.”

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “regard” and “regards” involves understanding their distinct grammatical functions and common contexts. While “regard” serves as a verb for considering or a noun for respect, “regards” primarily functions as a plural noun for greetings and good wishes. Paying attention to whether you need a singular concept/action or a plural expression of well-wishing will guide you to the correct choice. Pro Tip: Always double-check your closings in professional correspondence; using “regard” instead of “regards” in a farewell can subtly undermine your intended message of goodwill.