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5 Minute Grammar Lesson – Regardless or Irregardless?

Welcome back for another 5 Minute Grammar Lesson! Today’s topic is regardless or irregardless? Which is right? Does it really matter?! Irregardless of if you honestly care, I’m telling you anyway. 🙂

Today's 5 Minute Grammar Lesson topic is regardless or irregardless! Do you know which one is not really a word Check back each week for another lesson.
5 Minute Grammar Lesson – Regardless or Irregardless?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but IRREGARDLESS is not a word. I hear a lot of people using it, however. The grammatically correct term is REGARDLESS.

Regardless

Regardless means “without regard.” It is a negative word. Regardless of whether my kids want to clean their rooms, sometimes I make them!

Irregardless

The pronoun IR- is also negative which means that when you add IR to Regardless, you’re guilty of a double negative like: I don’t want nothing. The fix is quick: simply banish the word IRREGARDLESS from your vocabulary.

It’s true that some dictionaries list IRREGARDLESS, but they also mention it as NONSTANDARD – jargon, a dialect, or regional variation.

If you want to sound educated, don’t use IRREGARDLESS. And that is your 5 Minute Grammar Lesson. 🙂

regardless-or-irregardless

Want more grammar posts?

It’s or Its?

Less or Fewer?

Top 10 Mistakes Bloggers Make {and how to stop}

Who’s or WHOSE?

Who or Whom?

And if you’re looking for helpful grammar resources, here are my top picks:

Grammarly – Instantly fix over 250 types of errors with this free web-based grammar checker!

Strunk & White Elements of Style

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation 

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation 

The Grammar Girl’s Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Check back next Sunday for another quick grammar lesson! And if you’d like to get weekly grammar tips delivered straight to your inbox, please subscribe to my once a week newsletter. I promise I won’t spam you. 🙂

Susan

Tuesday 28th of February 2017

People using irregardless and supposably are pet peeves of mine. Thanks for clearing this one up for everyone.

Karen Loethen

Friday 20th of January 2012

Oh yes, this one bugs me!

Tracey @ ControltheChaos

Tuesday 17th of January 2012

Ha! I can't stand that non-word!

Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy

Monday 16th of January 2012

Ugh, I know, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard!

Alicia C.

Monday 16th of January 2012

I didn't know that! Regardless ;) , I don't use 'irregardless' when I write. However, I'm pretty sure I do when I speak. I'm going to have to pay attention and see!

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