[00:00.00]This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from Ramatoulaye in Senegal.
[00:10.12]Here is Ramatoulaye's question:
[00:13.85]Dear teacher,
[00:15.48]Thank you and all the VOA Learning English team for their great work!
[00:22.88]My question is: what is the difference between "regarding" and "regardless?"
[00:31.53]Thank you for your comments, Ramatoulaye.
[00:35.13]And I am happy to answer your question.
[00:38.71]Both words are very useful in speaking and writing.
[00:45.16]That's because the words give us a quick way to connect to other ideas.
[00:52.38]"Regarding" simply means what someone is talking or writing about.
[00:59.62]Consider the following two examples:
[01:03.68]We have all the information we need about the project.
[01:08.82]We have all the information we need regarding the project.
[01:14.91]The word "regarding" in the second example means the same thing as the preposition "about" in the first example.
[01:26.80]We generally use the word "about" more than "regarding."
[01:33.35]However, it is more common to use "regarding" in formal speech than in informal communication.
[01:43.22]Also, the expression "in regard to" means the same thing as "regarding."
[01:52.56]Here are some examples:
[01:55.43]In regard to the price, I think it was too expensive.
[02:00.28]In regard to what you said, I don't think we know all the facts yet.
[02:06.40]Note that we use a noun, noun phrase, or noun clause after the expression "in regard to."
[02:18.05]Also, you will sometimes hear native speakers say "in regards to" instead of "in regard to."
[02:28.74]Here is something you may find interesting when we compare the expression "in regard to" and the verb "regard."
[02:38.05]The verb "regard" is a somewhat formal way to say, "look at."
[02:48.57]So, just as we can direct someone's attention to something by having them look at it, the expression "in regard to" directs us to something we are talking about.
[03:05.18]The word "regardless" expresses the idea that one or more things do not affect the current situation or what we want to express now.
[03:20.25]When you look at the word, you will see that it ends with the suffix -less.
[03:27.72]This suffix means the same thing as the word "without."
[03:34.62]So, "regardless" means "without regard to."
[03:39.92]Consider the following examples.
[03:44.16]Regardless of religion, all people want happiness.
[03:48.73]All people want happiness, regardless of religion.
[03:53.20]Notice that you can use the word "regardless" either before or after the sentence or phrase it modifies.
[04:05.04]For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English?
[04:12.56]Regardless of your level of English, we want to hear from you!
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