regarding

regarding — preposition

1. used to introduce the specific subject or matter that a statement, question, or

1.prepositionB1
Definition

used to introduce the specific subject or matter that a statement, question, or piece of writing is connected with

Example

Ritu sent an email to the team regarding the project deadline next Friday.

preposition introducing a topic in correspondence

Christopher had a few questions regarding the new parking rules at work.

questions + regarding + topic noun phrase

Common collocations
  • regarding the matter
  • regarding your request
  • regarding the issue
  • regarding the proposal
  • regarding this question
Synonyms
  • concerning

    equally formal; interchangeable in most contexts

  • about

    less formal and the preferred choice in everyday conversation

  • with respect to

    more formal; common in legal and academic writing

Grammar Patterns

regarding + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal and written English to introduce a topic. It is more formal than 'about' and is common in business correspondence, academic writing, and official documents. In casual conversation, 'about' is usually preferred.

Common Mistakes

I am writing regarding your application.
I am writing about your application.
In informal emails and everyday speech, 'about' sounds more natural than 'regarding'.
Regarding to your question, the answer is no.
Regarding your question, the answer is no.
'Regarding' already includes the meaning of 'to'; adding 'to' is incorrect.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: preposition/1

'About' is the most general and neutral preposition for introducing a topic — it works in any register ('a book about pandas', 'talk about the weather'). 'Regarding' is more formal and typically signals that the topic is the specific focus of a written statement, such as an email header or an official announcement. 'Concerning' sits at a similar formality level but often carries a slightly more serious or official tone ('a report concerning safety violations'). 'With respect to' is the most formal of the four and is mainly used in legal, academic, or bureaucratic writing where precision and distance are valued. In informal speech, use 'about'; in business emails or formal writing, 'regarding' is a natural choice.

about ↗concerningregarding ↗with respect to

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Derived from the verb 'regard', which entered English from Old French 'regarder' (to look at, to consider, to pay attention to). The prepositional use developed in the 15th century from the present participle 'regarding' used in absolute constructions such as 'regarding this matter'. Over time, it shifted from a literal sense of looking at something to the abstract sense of directing attention toward a topic.