Regardless of means that something does not affect the result: The price is the same regardless of age. Regardless on its own, without of, goes at the end of a sentence and means “anyway, in spite of everything”. It is used when someone did something even though people advised against it or circumstances got in the way.
How would you use regardless?
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regardless of + noun; regardless of + whether/what/how + clause; clause + regardless. (at the end)
- All citizens should have access to good healthcare regardless of their income.
- Regardless of whether the tickets are refunded, we will never fly with that airline again.
- The forecast said it would snow, but we drove to the mountains regardless.
What changed
First versionThe festival will go ahead regardless from the weather.
RevisionThe festival will go ahead regardless of the weather.
It is easy to reach for another preposition here, such as from. But regardless connects to a noun only with of. From was replaced with of, and nothing else needed changing.
Despite introduces a specific obstacle that already exists: Despite the rain, we had a picnic. Regardless of is broader: the result is the same in any case, so it is often followed by age, income, whether or what. Compare: regardless of the weather, whatever the weather is like.
Your turn
Her parents said the trip was too risky, but Anna went ___.
Show the answer
regardless — The sentence ends with the gap, and the risk has already been mentioned. At the end of a sentence, in the sense of “anyway”, you use regardless. Despite must be followed by a noun or an -ing form; it can't stand alone at the end.
Write about a rule at your company, school or gym that is the same for everyone. Use regardless of and say what the rule doesn't depend on.
At our gym, everyone gets a free fitness assessment regardless of their membership type.
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