without regard to

USAGE SUMMARY

"without regard to" is an expression that is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to indicate that something is not affected by certain considerations, but instead is done regardless of them. For example, "The decision was made without regard to personal opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He governs without regard to ideological consistency.

The Economist

without regard to the differences in the positions involved.

Cornell University

This duty is imposed by law without regard to contract.

Harvard University

And we did it without regard to particular jobs.

Harvard Business Review

Those groups provide advice without regard to income.

The New York Times

"Parking should be available without regard to where you live.

The New York Times

"Shareholders were selling stocks without regard to their fundamentals".

The New York Times

"That is true without regard to international borders," he said.

The Guardian

The college admits them without regard to ability to pay.

The New York Times

(1) Main circuit controller is designed without regard to disturbance.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

It operates without regard to their sexual orientation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without regard to" to clearly state that a decision or action is not influenced by a particular factor. This ensures clarity and impartiality in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "without regard to" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like "regardless of" or "despite" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without regard to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that something is done or considered independently of a specific factor. Ludwig examples show it defining conditions that are excluded in decision making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

32%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without regard to" is a versatile prepositional phrase that signifies a lack of consideration for a specific factor. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use in written English. It is especially common in academic, news, and scientific writing, where it is used to convey impartiality and objectivity. While generally interchangeable with alternatives like "regardless of" and "irrespective of", "without regard to" is perceived as slightly more formal. Remember to use it judiciously in informal settings and be mindful of your audience to maintain an appropriate tone. The phrase effectively communicates that decisions or actions are made independently of particular influences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrespective of

Indicates something is not taken into account; slightly more formal.

regardless of

Similar to "without regard to", emphasizing a lack of attention to something.

irrespective of

Synonymous, but with a slightly more formal tone.

disregarding

Focuses on the act of ignoring or overlooking something.

notwithstanding

A more formal way of saying "despite" or "in spite of".

ignoring

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to consider something.

unaffected by

Highlights that something remains unchanged despite other factors.

uninfluenced by

Suggests a lack of impact from something else.

independently of

Highlights the separate nature of something.

despite

A simpler alternative indicating something happening even with a factor present.

FAQs

How can I use "without regard to" in a sentence?

Use "without regard to" to indicate that something is done or considered independently of a specific factor. For example, "The college admits students "without regard to" their ability to pay."

What phrases are similar to "without regard to"?

Alternatives include "irrespective of", "regardless of", and "notwithstanding". Choose the best fit based on the desired tone and context.

Is it better to use "without regard to" or "regardless of"?

Both phrases are generally interchangeable, but "without regard to" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "regardless of".

Can "without regard to" be used in all types of writing?

Yes, but be mindful of your audience. While appropriate in formal writing and professional contexts, it might sound stilted in very casual settings. Consider more relaxed alternatives like "despite" or "even if".