Regards vs. Best Regards – Which is Correct?

“Regards” and “best regards” are both correct and widely accepted email closings, with their primary difference lying in the degree of warmth and formality they convey. “Regards” serves as a neutral, professional closing suitable for most business communications, while “best regards” offers a slightly warmer, more personal touch, often preferred when a rapport with the recipient has been established.

Regards or Best Regards – Which is Correct?

Both “regards” and “best regards” are grammatically correct and widely used phrases in professional and personal correspondence, particularly as email closings. The choice between them hinges on the nuance of your message and your relationship with the recipient. “Regards” is a standard, versatile closing that maintains a professional distance, making it appropriate for initial contacts or formal exchanges. “Best regards,” conversely, injects a touch more warmth and goodwill without sacrificing professionalism. It’s often chosen when you wish to convey a slightly friendlier sentiment to someone you know better or with whom you’ve had pleasant interactions.

Word / Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Regards	Noun / Closing Phrase	Expresses good wishes, respect, or attention; a neutral, professional closing.	“Regards, Sarah Chen”
Best Regards	Closing Phrase	Expresses warmer, more personal good wishes; a friendly yet professional closing.	“Best regards, John Smith”

How to Use Regards

The term “regards” is highly versatile and serves multiple functions in English, though its most common usage in modern communication is as a professional email closing. When used as a closing, “regards” is a safe, neutral option suitable for nearly all professional contexts, from formal business correspondence to internal team emails. It conveys respect and recognition without being overly familiar. It’s an excellent choice when communicating with new contacts, superiors, or in situations where a formal tone is preferred. As a noun, “regards” (plural) means good wishes or greetings, while “regard” (singular) refers to respect, attention, or consideration.

Example 1: After reviewing your proposal, I appreciate your detailed work. Regards, Sarah Chen

Example 2: Thank you for the update on the project’s progress. Regards, Marketing Team

Example 3: I look forward to our meeting next week to discuss the new strategy. Regards, David Lee

What are the different forms of Regards?

As an email closing, “regards” is typically used in its plural form and remains fixed. However, the root word “regard” can take different forms:

• Regard (singular noun): Refers to attention, consideration, respect, or esteem. Example: “She holds him in high regard.”
• Regards (plural noun): Means good wishes or greetings. Example: “Please send my regards to your family.”
• To regard (verb): Means to consider or look upon in a particular way. Example: “I regard her as a true professional.”

Etymology of the word Regards

The word “regard” traces its origins back to the Old French word “regard,” meaning “attention, consideration, look, aspect.” This, in turn, came from the verb “regarder,” meaning “to look at, observe, watch.” By the 15th century, “regard” entered English, evolving in meaning to include “esteem, respect” and later, in the plural form “regards,” to signify “good wishes or greetings,” especially in correspondence.

How to Use Best Regards

“Best regards” is a widely accepted email closing that conveys a slightly warmer and more personal sentiment than a simple “regards,” while still maintaining a professional tone. It’s often used when you have an established rapport with the recipient, such as a long-term colleague, a client with whom you’ve built a relationship, or a contact you’ve met in person and wish to foster a friendlier connection. “Best regards” can make your closing feel more genuine and appreciative without becoming overly casual.

Example 1: It was a pleasure collaborating on this successful project. Best regards, Emily White

Example 2: Wishing you a successful quarter and continued growth. Best regards, The Sales Department

Example 3: Thank you again for your invaluable assistance with the report. Best regards, Michael Brown

What are the different forms of Best Regards?

As a fixed closing phrase, “best regards” does not typically take different grammatical forms. It is used as a complete unit. The word “best” is a superlative adjective modifying “regards,” indicating the highest degree of good wishes.

Etymology of the word Best Regards

The phrase “best regards” combines the superlative adjective “best” with the plural noun “regards.” “Best” comes from the Old English word “betst,” the superlative form of “good,” meaning “of the highest quality or excellence.” As detailed previously, “regards” comes from Old French, signifying good wishes. The combination of “best” with “regards” emerged as a way to express the most sincere or highest degree of good wishes or esteem, becoming a popular closing in the 20th century.

Related Concepts

The choice between “regards” and “best regards” is a prime example of how email sign-offs reflect professional etiquette and tone. Your closing statement is the final impression you leave with a recipient, influencing their perception of your message and your professional persona. Beyond just “regards” and “best regards,” understanding the spectrum of email closings can significantly enhance your communication skills:

• Sincerely/Yours truly: Very formal, often reserved for official letters or initial formal correspondence.
• Kind regards: A popular alternative that sits between “regards” and “best regards” in warmth, offering a friendly yet professional feel.
• Warmly/Warm regards: More personal and friendly, suitable for people you know well or in less formal industries.
• Thanks/Thank you: Often used when the email directly involves a request or expresses gratitude, can be more casual.
• Respectfully: Used in very formal contexts, especially when addressing superiors or in legal/official documents.

Choosing the right closing demonstrates attention to detail and an understanding of social and professional norms, reinforcing your message’s intended tone.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The official correspondence from the university concluded, ‘For any further queries, please contact the registrar’s office. Regards, University Administration.'”
• “After a successful negotiation, the partners exchanged emails, one concluding, ‘Best regards for a fruitful collaboration ahead, and I look forward to our next project.'”
• “In her novel, the protagonist’s email to a new business contact ended with a polite, ‘Regards, Ms. Evelyn Reed, hoping for a positive outcome.'”
• “The project manager’s weekly update to the team always signed off with a collaborative, ‘Best regards to everyone for your hard work, [Project Manager’s Name].'”
• “A historical letter, though not an email, might express a similar sentiment: ‘With highest regards to your esteemed family, I remain, [Signer].'”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. Please send my kindest ______ to your mother when you see her.
2. After our productive meeting, I hope to work together again soon. ______ , Sarah.
3. This email confirms receipt of your application. ______ , HR Department.
4. It was a pleasure catching up with you at the industry event. ______ , Mark.
5. We value your business and look forward to serving you again. ______ , Customer Service.

Answer Key

1. regards
2. Best regards
3. Regards
4. Best regards
5. Regards

Regards Synonyms

Synonym / Related Phrase	Definition / Context
Sincerely	A very common and formal closing, conveying genuineness.
Kind regards	A slightly warmer and friendlier professional closing than “regards.”
Best wishes	An expression of hope for someone’s future happiness or success, often personal.
Respectfully	Used in very formal contexts, showing deference or politeness.
Cordially	In a warm and friendly way; often used in invitations or formal greetings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: When should I use “regards” versus “best regards”?
Use “regards” for general professional communication, especially with new contacts, in more formal settings, or when you wish to maintain a neutral tone. Opt for “best regards” when you want to convey a slightly warmer, more personal, yet still professional tone, typically with colleagues or contacts with whom you have an established, positive relationship.

Question 2: Is “kind regards” an alternative to these closings?
Yes, “kind regards” is a very popular and widely accepted alternative. It generally falls between “regards” and “best regards” in terms of warmth, offering a friendly and polite professional closing that many find strikes a good balance.

Question 3: Are “regards” and “best regards” appropriate for very formal letters or documents?
While perfectly suitable for most professional emails, for extremely formal letters, legal documents, or academic submissions, more traditional closings like “Sincerely,” “Yours truly,” or “Respectfully” might be preferred to convey the highest degree of formality and deference.

Conclusion

In the landscape of professional communication, both “regards” and “best regards” stand as correct and effective email closings. The distinction lies in their subtle nuances of tone, with “regards” offering a universally professional and neutral option, and “best regards” imparting a touch more warmth and personal goodwill. Your choice reflects not just grammar, but also your relationship with the recipient and the desired tone of your message.

Pro Tip: Always consider your audience and the context of your communication. While “regards” is a safe bet for most professional interactions, strategically using “best regards” can help foster stronger connections. Choosing your closing thoughtfully demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism, enhancing your overall communication impact.