What Does "as regards" Mean?
- Grammatical function: "As regards" is a compound preposition used as a discourse marker to introduce a topic or to focus on a specific subject. It expresses a relationship of reference or topicalization, similar to "concerning" or "regarding."
- Typical sentence position: It most frequently appears in the initial position to set the frame for the rest of the sentence, but it can also be used in the medial or final positions to provide supplementary detail.
- Register: This expression is strictly formal. It is commonly found in legal documents, academic journals, business correspondence, and high-quality journalism.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It is followed by a noun phrase or a gerund. It cannot be followed by a full clause (subject + verb) without a preceding noun. It is often preceded by a comma when used in the middle of a sentence.
- Punctuation rules: When "as regards" starts a sentence, it is typically followed by the noun phrase it introduces, which is then followed by a comma before the main clause begins. In a medial position, it is often set off by commas if it acts as a parenthetical remark.
- Grammatical flexibility: It is highly flexible in terms of placement but cannot be easily negated. You cannot say "not as regards"; instead, you would use a different construction like "this does not apply to."
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using "as regards" in casual conversation sounds overly stiff. Additionally, following it with a preposition (like "as regards to") is a common grammatical error.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from as regards on Ludwig.guru.
"As regards ourselves, nothing will deter us." — independent.co.uk
"As regards the future I am lost, lost, lost"." — theguardian.com
"As regards domestic demand, different developments were reported." — theguardian.com
"The symbolism, as regards Gil and Eirene, is lightly suggested." — nytimes.com
"As regards the research methodology surveys and interviews were conducted." — sciencedirect.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/as+regards
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| regarding |
Neutral to formal; very common in business emails and professional contexts. |
| with regard to |
Highly formal; a direct synonym used frequently in academic writing. |
| concerning |
Neutral; focuses specifically on the subject matter of a discussion. |
| as for |
Neutral/Informal; used to switch topics, often implying a contrast with a previous subject. |
| in terms of |
Neutral; focuses on a specific aspect or metric of a larger topic. |
| anent |
Archaic/Legal; very rare, used mostly in Scottish legal contexts or old literature. |
Common Mistakes
- The "To" Trap: Learners often mistakenly add an 's' to the end of the phrase, saying 'as regards to' instead of the correct 'as regards' or 'with regard to'. Remember: it is either "as regards [noun]" or "with regard to [noun]."
- Subject-Verb Confusion: Some writers treat "regards" as a verb that must agree with the subject of the sentence. In this phrase, as regards is a fixed prepositional expression and does not change based on plurality.
- Overuse in Informal Speech: Using this phrase in a text message or casual chat can make the speaker seem unnaturally formal or pretentious.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| as regards |
Topicalization/Reference |
Formal |
Initial or Medial |
FAQs
Can as regards be used in the middle of a sentence
Yes, as regards can appear in both sentence-initial and mid-clause positions. When used in the middle of a sentence, it often functions as a parenthetical insert and should be set off by commas to maintain clarity.
What is the difference between as regards and with regard to
Both phrases are formal synonyms used to introduce a topic, but they have different syntactic requirements. The phrase as regards never takes the preposition "to," whereas with regard to always requires it to function correctly.
Is it correct to say as regards to
No, this is a common error where learners mistakenly add an 's' to the end of the phrase, saying as regards to instead of the correct as regards or with regard to. You must choose one fixed form or the other, as mixing them results in a non-standard construction.