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. 🙂

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. 🙂

Want more grammar posts?
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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!