Cool MateRegardless vs Whatever it is
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Regardless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Whatever it is
Top 2,000 (common)
| Regardless | Whatever it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːdləs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒtˈɛvər ɪt ɪz//🇺🇸 //wʌtˈɛvər ɪt ɪz// |
| Meaning | No matter what; not paying attention to something. | Anything you want to refer to. |
| Example | The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. | You can choose whatever it is you like for dinner. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | regardless of the consequences, regardless of the situation, regardless of age | whatever it is you want, whatever it is that matters, whatever it is, just do it, make it whatever it is, understand whatever it is |
| Antonyms | considering, mindful, concerned | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Irregardless' is incorrect; the correct form is 'regardless'., Forgetting to use it with 'of' (e.g., say 'regardless of the circumstances')., Using it in overly formal contexts where simpler language would suffice. | Omitting 'it' and saying 'Whatever is' instead., Using in very formal situations., Confusing with 'whenever' or 'whatever'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'regardless' to indicate that an action or decision is not influenced by other factors. It's often used in both spoken and written English. However, be careful not to confuse it with 'irregardless', which is nonstandard. | Use in informal contexts to express indifference or when the specific thing is unknown. Avoid in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Regardless vs Whatever it is
What's the difference between Regardless and Whatever it is?
Regardless: No matter what; not paying attention to something. Whatever it is: Anything you want to refer to.
Can you show an example of each?
Regardless: The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. Whatever it is: You can choose whatever it is you like for dinner.
Can I use Regardless and Whatever it is interchangeably?
Not always. Regardless and Whatever it is are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.