Regardless vs Irregardless: A Battle That Makes Grammar Nerds Lose Their Minds

on Dec 16, 2024, Updated Jan 06, 2025

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Listen up, word warriors! Today we’re diving into the linguistic cage match of the century: REGARDLESS vs IRREGARDLESS. cue dramatic music 🎭

The Showdown: Regardless or Irregardless?

Picture this: You’re in a meeting, trying to sound smart, when suddenly you’re faced with a choice that could make or break your reputation as a somewhat-functioning adult. Should you say “regardless” or “irregardless”? sweating intensifies

The Champion: REGARDLESS

Definition: “without regard” (like how your cat treats your personal space)
Status: Completely legitimate word, living its best life
Example: “Regardless of how many treats I’ve already given my dog, she still looks at me like she’s starving.”

The Challenger: IRREGARDLESS

Status: The linguistic equivalent of wearing socks with sandals
Fun fact: It’s like adding a double negative to your sentence, which is like putting pineapple on pizza – just because you can doesn’t mean you should
Usage: Found in dictionaries with a “please don’t” warning label (okay, they actually say “nonstandard,” but we know what they mean)

Why “Irregardless” Makes Grammar Nerds Cry

Here’s the tea: adding “ir-” to “regardless” is like wearing a belt AND suspenders. The “ir-” prefix and “-less” suffix are both negative, creating a double negative that would make your English teacher need a vacation day.

That means the answer to the question – is irregardless a double negative, is a resounding YES!

The Bottom Line

Want to sound like you have your life together? Stick with “regardless.” Want to make grammar enthusiasts twitch? Go ahead and throw “irregardless” into your next email to the boss. (Just don’t blame me for what happens next.)