Regarding means “about” or “on the subject of”. It names the topic you are going to talk about: Regarding your question about parking, … The word sounds formal and suits business emails, notices and essays; in conversation, people usually say about. After regarding, the topic comes straight away, with no preposition.
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Regarding + noun, + clause; I'm writing regarding + noun; noun + regarding + topic; with regard to + noun
- Regarding your question about parking, there are free spaces behind the building.
- The school has sent parents new rules regarding mobile phones in class.
- I'd like some information regarding the cost of the course and the start dates.
What changed
First versionI'm writing regarding to your advertisement for a part-time tutor.
RevisionI'm writing regarding your advertisement for a part-time tutor.
Regarding gets mixed up with similar phrases that do have to: according to, with regard to. But after regarding, the topic follows directly, just as it does after about. So to was removed.
With regard to means the same and sounds even more formal, but here to is required: With regard to your complaint, we have refunded the full amount. Don't confuse these phrases with regards at the end of an email: Kind regards is a polite sign-off and has nothing to do with the topic of the message.
Your turn
I have a question ___ the payment terms in the contract.
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regarding — The sentence names the topic of the question: the payment terms. A topic is introduced by regarding. According to means “as stated by” or “in line with”: according to the contract. A question according to the payment terms makes no sense.
Write the opening of an email to a language school or a future employer: use regarding to say what you are writing about, and ask one specific question.
I am writing regarding the evening IELTS course advertised on your website. Could you tell me if there are still places in the October group?
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