About vs. Regarding: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"About" generally refers to concerning or relating to a subject, while "Regarding" specifically denotes consideration or reference to a specific matter.
Key Differences
"Regarding your inquiry, we have updated our policy."
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Nov 29, 2023
"About" is used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more relaxed and common word in everyday language. For instance, "What do you know about him?" contrasts with "Regarding," which is often employed in formal or professional settings, signifying a direct reference to a topic. Example: "Regarding the meeting agenda, I have some suggestions."
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Nov 29, 2023
When posing questions, "about" is frequently used, implying a broader range of discussion or inquiry. For instance, "What are your thoughts about the new project?" In contrast, "Regarding" is typically used in more targeted questions, focusing on a specific aspect. Example: "Regarding the budget, do we have enough funds?"
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Nov 29, 2023
"About" functions as a preposition in many contexts, indicating a relation to something. Example: "This book is about ancient Rome." "Regarding," however, primarily serves as a preposition to introduce or specify the subject of discussion, often in written forms like emails or letters. Example: "Regarding your application, we have made a decision."
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Nov 29, 2023
"About" can carry various connotations depending on its usage, including approximation ("It's about five o'clock") or involvement ("She's always about helping others"). "Regarding," however, maintains a more consistent connotation of formal reference or consideration about a specific topic. Example: "Regarding your proposal, we have some concerns."
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Nov 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage Flexibility
Used in a wide range of contexts, both spatial and topical.
Primarily used to introduce or specify subjects in discussions.
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Nov 29, 2023
Formality
Common in both formal and informal language.
More formal, often used in professional or official communication.
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Nov 29, 2023
Function in Queries
Common in broad or general questions.
Used in specific, targeted questions.
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Nov 29, 2023
Prepositional Role
Serves as a preposition indicating relation or approximation.
Primarily a preposition for introducing a subject matter.
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Nov 29, 2023
Connotation
Carries multiple connotations based on usage.
Consistently connotes formal reference or consideration.
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Nov 29, 2023
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About and Regarding Definitions
Regarding
Concerning or with respect to.
Regarding your question, I have some information.
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Nov 29, 2023
Regarding
With reference to.
Regarding our earlier discussion, I have an update.
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Nov 29, 2023
About
Present in a particular place or area.
Is John about the office today?
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Nov 29, 2023
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Regarding
As regards; in terms of.
Regarding performance, the team has improved.
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Nov 29, 2023
About
In various directions; here and there.
He looked about the room curiously.
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Nov 29, 2023
Regarding
In consideration of.
Regarding the budget, we need to be cautious.
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Nov 29, 2023
Regarding
In reference to; with respect to; concerning. See Usage Note at regard.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In the area or vicinity; near
Spoke to a few spectators standing about.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
On the verge of doing something; presently going to do something. Used with the infinitive
The chorus is about to sing.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Usage Problem Used to show determination or intention in negative constructions with an infinitive
I am not about to concede the point.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In the vicinity of; around
Explored the rivers and streams about the estate.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In the act or process of
While you're about it, please clean your room.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Being in evidence or existence
Rumors are about concerning his resignation.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
The snake was coiled about his ankle.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Rubbish was strewn about the place.
The children were running about the room.
He was well known about town.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
He talked a lot about his childhood.
We must do something about this problem.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
I can't find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
John's in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
On one's person; nearby the person.
I had no weapon about me but a stick.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
(figurative) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in the possession of; under the control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.
He has his wits about him.
There was an air of confidence about the woman.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
On all sides; around.
I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
Bits of old machinery were lying about.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
Walking about;
Rushing about;
Jumping about;
Thrashing about
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
Messing about;
Fooling about;
Loafing about
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
It's about as cold as it was last winter.
He owes me about three hundred dollars.
Dinner's about ready.
I was so scared, I about fainted.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view.
To face about;
To turn oneself about
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Oct 19, 2023
About
(nautical) To the opposite tack: see go about.
We went about and headed offshore.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
(archaic) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.
A mile about, and a third of a mile across
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Moving around; astir.
Out and about;
Up and about
After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
Watch out, there's a thief about.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
Roving still about the world.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Near; not far from; - determining approximately time, size, quantity.
He went out about the third hour.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
She must have her way about Sarah.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; - also of quantity, number, time.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
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Oct 19, 2023
About
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct;
Lasted approximately an hour
In just about a minute
He's about 30 years old
I've had about all I can stand
We meet about once a month
Some forty people came
Weighs around a hundred pounds
Roughly $3,000
Holds 3 gallons, more or less
20 or so people were at the party
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Oct 19, 2023
About
All around or on all sides;
Dirty clothes lying around (or about)
Let's look about for help
There were trees growing all around
She looked around her
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In the area or vicinity;
A few spectators standing about
Hanging around
Waited around for the next flight
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Oct 19, 2023
About
To or among many different places or in no particular direction;
Wandering about with no place to go
People were rushing about
News gets around (or about)
Traveled around in Asia
He needs advice from someone who's been around
She sleeps around
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Oct 19, 2023
About
In or to a reversed position or direction;
About face
Brought the ship about
Suddenly she turned around
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Oct 19, 2023
About
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "about" be used to indicate approximation?
Yes, "about" is often used to indicate an approximation, like "about 5 miles away."
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "about" be a preposition?
Yes, "about" functions as a preposition in many sentences, indicating a relationship to a subject.
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Nov 29, 2023
Does "about" have multiple meanings?
Yes, "about" can have various meanings depending on its context, including concerning, around, or approximately.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "regarding" introduce a subject in an email?
Yes, "regarding" is commonly used to introduce a specific subject in emails or letters.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "about" introduce a topic of conversation?
Yes, "about" is often used to introduce or discuss the topic of a conversation.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "regarding" good for concise communication?
Yes, "regarding" is effective for concise and clear communication, especially in formal settings.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "regarding" a versatile word?
"Regarding" is less versatile than "about" and is mainly used to refer to specific topics or subjects.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "regarding" used in everyday conversation?
"Regarding" is less common in casual conversation and more frequent in formal or written communication.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "regarding" formal or informal?
"Regarding" is typically more formal and used in professional contexts.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "about" suitable for formal documents?
While "about" can be used in formal documents, "regarding" might be a more appropriate choice for specific references.
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Nov 29, 2023
Does "regarding" help in focusing a discussion?
Yes, "regarding" helps to focus a discussion on a specific topic or subject.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "about" be used in storytelling?
Yes, "about" is commonly used in storytelling to describe the subject or theme.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "about" be used to describe spatial relations?
Yes, "about" can describe spatial relations, like "The books are scattered about the room."
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Nov 29, 2023
Does "regarding" imply a direct reference?
Yes, "regarding" directly refers to or focuses on a particular subject or matter.
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Nov 29, 2023
Does "about" have a formal tone?
"About" can be used in both formal and informal tones, depending on the context.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "regarding" start a sentence?
Yes, "regarding" can start a sentence, especially when pointing out a specific subject or topic.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can "regarding" be replaced with "concerning"?
Yes, "regarding" can often be replaced with "concerning" without changing the meaning.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "about" common in questions?
Yes, "about" is frequently used in questions to inquire or discuss a topic.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is "regarding" suitable for academic writing?
Yes, "regarding" is well-suited for academic writing due to its formal tone.
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Nov 29, 2023
Does "about" imply a general topic?
"About" often implies a general topic or subject, rather than a specific focus.
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Nov 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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