Concerning / regarding / with regard to / with respect to

Question

Hello. I like to use 'concerning' but have noticed that it s not so common in native English speakers' writing.

Sometimes they use 'regarding'; sometimes 'with respect to' or 'with regard to'.

If we think about academic writing, is there something like a 'scale of formality' or 'scale of frequency' about these expressions?

Thank you!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

This is a can of worms with which you must be careful. Generally, those phrases are unnecessary to the content and are thrown in to seem 'formal', when they are often just counterproductive. However:

Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.

regarding, as regards, in regard(s) to, with regard(s) to

In and with regard to, regarding, and as regards are all Standard, synonymous prepositions, slightly longer and more varied than but meaning much the same as about and concerning: I spoke to him regarding [as regards, in regard to, with regard to] his future. With regards to is Nonstandard and frequently functions as a shibboleth, although it can be Standard and idiomatic in complimentary closes to letters: With [my] regards to your family…. In regards to, however, is both Substandard and Vulgar, although it appears unfortunately often in the spoken language of some people who otherwise use Standard. It never appears in Edited English.

Use in regard to, with regard to or as regards. Better still, avoid altogether a phrase that smacks of business-ese and jargon.

Anonymous · Answer

Dear Mister Micawber, thank you for the detailed explanation.

Then, according to that guide, could we say that, while 'concerning' and 'about' are close in formality and are not so 'heavy' in style, 'with regard to' and 'regarding' sound more formal?

When reading English texts, I understand the different language devices but still cannot capture the differences in degrees of formality. I am using as reference some materials that show what is more or less formal, more or less academic, but even so they do not cover all the issues.

Thank you again.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymouscould we say that, while 'concerning' and 'about' are close in formality and are not so 'heavy' in style, 'with regard to' and 'regarding' sound more formal?

That sounds reasonable.

AnonymousI understand the different language devices but still cannot capture the differences in degrees of formality. I am using as reference some materials that show what is more or less formal, more or less academic, but even so they do not cover all the issues.

I feel your pain.

Concerning / regarding / with regard to / with respect to

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