If you are wondering if to say “regardless of whether” or “regardless whether,” the safest and standard choice is “regardless of whether.” For example: “I will go regardless of whether it rains.” The phrase “regardless whether” does appear in some informal usage, but it is generally considered less standard and is best avoided in careful writing.
Quick Answer
“Regardless of whether” is the standard and widely accepted construction. Use it when you mean that something remains true or happens despite two possible conditions. “Regardless whether” is sometimes heard or written, but adding “of” makes the expression grammatically clearer and more natural.
Why Do People Confuse It?
The confusion happens because regardless can sometimes be used without of when it means “anyway” or “despite everything.”
For example:
- I will do it regardless.
- She continued regardless.
However, when regardless is followed by a clause beginning with whether, standard usage normally uses of:
We will continue regardless of whether they agree.
The structure is:
regardless of + noun/pronoun/gerund/whether-clause
Compare:
- regardless of the weather
- regardless of cost
- regardless of what happens
- regardless of whether he agrees
First Word: Regardless
Regardless means without being affected by something or despite a particular condition.
It tells the reader that a situation, decision, or action does not change because of another factor.
Examples
- I will support you regardless.
- She continued working regardless of the difficulties.
- They will attend regardless of the outcome.
When followed by whether, however, the usual construction is regardless of whether.
Second Word: Whether
Whether introduces alternatives or possibilities.
It is often used when there are two or more possible situations.
Examples:
- I don’t know whether he will come.
- Tell me whether you agree.
- We will leave whether they are ready or not.
When combined with regardless of, it creates the useful structure:
regardless of whether + clause
Example:
I will finish the project regardless of whether I receive help.
This means the speaker will finish the project in either situation.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Standard? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| regardless of whether | Yes | Despite either possibility | I’ll go regardless of whether you come. |
| regardless whether | Less standard | Same intended meaning | I’ll go regardless whether you come. |
| regardless of | Yes | Despite something | We continued regardless of the delay. |
| whether or not | Yes | No matter which possibility is true | I’ll go whether or not you come. |
| regardless | Yes | Anyway; despite everything | I’ll do it regardless. |
When Should You Use Each?
Use “Regardless of Whether”
Use regardless of whether in formal, academic, professional, and careful everyday English.
Examples:
- The policy applies regardless of whether you are a new employee.
- She will attend regardless of whether her friends come.
- We must continue regardless of whether the results are positive.
This is the best choice when you want your sentence to sound natural and grammatically conventional.
What About “Regardless Whether”?
Regardless whether can be found in real-world English, but it is less widely accepted as the standard construction.
If you are writing:
- an academic essay,
- a business email,
- a report,
- an examination answer,
- formal correspondence, or
- professional content,
choose regardless of whether.
10+ Examples
- I will go regardless of whether it rains.
- She will finish the work regardless of whether anyone helps her.
- We will support the team regardless of whether they win.
- The rule applies regardless of whether you agree with it.
- He plans to attend regardless of whether his friends come.
- You should be honest regardless of whether the truth is difficult to hear.
- The meeting will take place regardless of whether the manager arrives.
- They will continue the project regardless of whether funding is available.
- I will keep practicing regardless of whether I make mistakes.
- The company will proceed regardless of whether customers approve.
- She remained calm regardless of whether the situation became stressful.
- We need to prepare regardless of whether the weather changes.
Notice that of comes directly before whether in every standard example.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Leaving Out “Of”
❌ I will go regardless whether you come.
✅ I will go regardless of whether you come.
For careful English, include of.
Mistake 2: Confusing “Regardless Of” With “Whether Or Not”
Both can express the idea that something does not depend on a particular condition.
- I will go regardless of whether you come.
- I will go whether or not you come.
Both are natural.
Mistake 3: Using “Irregardless”
Irregardless is widely regarded as nonstandard or informal. In formal English, simply use regardless.
❌ Irregardless of whether he agrees, we will continue.
✅ Regardless of whether he agrees, we will continue.
Mistake 4: Misunderstanding the Meaning
Regardless of whether does not mean that the speaker is uncertain about what will happen. Instead, it means that the outcome or decision will remain the same despite either possibility.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Regardless OF a possibility.
Then add whether:
Regardless OF WHETHER…
Think of “of whether” as one useful pair.
Regardless of whether = it doesn’t matter which possibility is true.
American vs. British English
Regardless of whether is standard in both American English and British English.
There is no major US-versus-UK difference in the preferred construction.
Examples:
- American English: I’ll attend regardless of whether I’m invited.
- British English: I’ll attend regardless of whether I’m invited.
In both varieties, regardless of whether is the safest choice for formal writing.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions can communicate a similar idea.
No Matter Whether
I’ll go no matter whether you come.
This emphasizes that the result will not change.
Whether or Not
I’ll go whether or not you come.
This is concise and very common.
Irrespective of Whether
The decision applies irrespective of whether you agree.
Irrespective of is formal and has essentially the same meaning.
Despite Whether
This construction is generally unnatural.
Instead of:
❌ Despite whether he agrees…
use:
✅ Regardless of whether he agrees…
Regardless
When the condition has already been established, regardless can stand alone:
He may disagree, but we will continue regardless.
Final Verdict
Regardless of whether is the recommended and standard expression.
Use:
✅ regardless of whether
rather than:
⚠️ regardless whether
For formal or careful English, including the of is the clearest choice.
If you want a shorter alternative, whether or not is also perfectly natural:
I’ll go whether or not you come.
FAQs
Is “regardless of whether” grammatically correct?
Yes. Regardless of whether is a standard grammatical construction used to show that something remains true or happens despite different possible conditions.
Is “regardless whether” correct?
Regardless whether occurs in actual English, but it is less standard and less widely accepted than regardless of whether. For formal and careful writing, use regardless of whether.
Should I say “regardless of whether or not”?
Yes, it can be grammatical, but regardless of whether is often enough because whether already introduces alternatives. For example, “I’ll attend regardless of whether you come” is clear.
What is the difference between “regardless of whether” and “whether or not”?
They often have the same meaning. Regardless of whether you agree emphasizes that something is unaffected by your agreement, while whether or not you agree directly presents the two possibilities.
Can “regardless” be used without “of”?
Yes. Regardless can stand alone when it means “anyway” or “despite everything.”
Example: “It might be difficult, but I’ll try regardless.”
Is “regardless of if” correct?
You may encounter regardless of if, especially in informal speech, but regardless of whether is generally preferred when introducing a condition or alternative.
Is “irregardless” correct English?
Irregardless is a nonstandard form that appears in informal usage. Regardless is the recommended word, especially in formal writing.
Remember This
- ✅ Regardless of whether — standard and recommended
- ⚠️ Regardless whether — less standard; avoid in formal writing
- ✅ Whether or not — natural alternative
- ✅ Regardless — can stand alone
- ⚠️ Irregardless — avoid in formal English
Conclusion
When choosing between “regardless of whether” and “regardless whether,” choose “regardless of whether” for standard, clear, and polished English. The phrase works naturally before a clause describing two possible conditions, such as “regardless of whether she agrees.”
Although “regardless whether” can be found in real usage, it is not the safest choice for formal communication. Remember the simple pattern regardless of + whether whenever you want to express that something does not depend on which possibility occurs.
David Henry is a language enthusiast and content writer specializing in synonyms, vocabulary, and word meanings. He creates clear, engaging resources that help readers improve their writing, communication, and English skills.
