Her Ladyship's Guide to the Queen's English by Caroline Taggart
suggests that all the forms in regard be informal 
Are you in accord with her ? I use it in my future article and wish to be formal.
-
I would say: *I would like to speak to you regarding the committee meeting" ................. (but I am not a Queen)– Gary's StudentCommented Apr 27, 2014 at 17:33
-
1Are you sure that you have properly grasped Taggart's point? While I personally would agree with the quoted recommendation with regard to and as regards should be avoided, that is because of triteness and verbosity rather than informality. And 'suggesting that all the forms of regard be informal' is not at all the same as saying that they are informal (at least at this level of precision).– Tim LymingtonCommented Apr 27, 2014 at 17:56
-
@TimLymington: You are probably correct....I have trouble with "formality" vs "informality" or "levels of formality".......do you have a reference for formality criteria??– Gary's StudentCommented Apr 27, 2014 at 18:04
-
@Gary'sStudent: my comment was addressed to Jane the OP, but most style guides will distinguish language that is appropriate in academic or business contexts from simple communication with friends.– Tim LymingtonCommented Apr 27, 2014 at 18:20
-
TimLymington: Are you suggesting that "in regard" is accepted by the author ?– JasmaCommented Apr 28, 2014 at 10:05
|
Show 1 more comment
2 Answers
When "in/with regard to" is only a swollen and unnecessary variant for "about" I would always prefer the simpler and shorter preposition "about".
I would use the expression with "regard" when a simple preposition is not enough or hard to find.
Both are formal.Example."I am writing with regard to /in regard to /with reference to..."
