Usage and Grammar

Q. It seems the phrase “in regards to” is becoming more popular, but I believe it is often misused. Shouldn’t “I want to speak to you in regards to your insurance policy” be “I want to speak to you in regard to your insurance policy”?

A. You’re right; “in regard to” is the correct usage. We give our regards to our friends, to their mothers, and to Broadway; insurance policies don’t merit the same enthusiasm. But because “in regards to” is already pervasive in all these contexts, it will likely be considered standard English in time.