Cool MateAnyway vs Regardless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anyway
Top 2,000 (common)A2adverb
Regardless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
| Anyway | Regardless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːdləs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/"]/ |
| Meaning | regardless of what has happened before | No matter what; not paying attention to something. |
| Example | I don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun. | The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | so anyway, but anyway, anyway you look at it | regardless of the consequences, regardless of the situation, regardless of age |
| Antonyms | nevertheless, however | considering, mindful, concerned |
| Common mistakes | 'Anyway' is often confused with 'anywayS'., Learners sometimes overuse 'anyway' in formal contexts., 'Anyway' should not be separated from the rest of the sentence. | '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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'anyway' to change direction in a conversation or to dismiss a previous point. It's informal, so avoid in very formal writing or speeches. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anyway vs Regardless
What's the difference between Anyway and Regardless?
Anyway: regardless of what has happened before Regardless: No matter what; not paying attention to something.
Which is more advanced: Anyway and Regardless?
Regardless is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Anyway and Regardless the same CEFR level?
Anyway: A2, Regardless: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Anyway and Regardless?
Anyway: adverb, Regardless: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Anyway: I don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun. Regardless: The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**.
Can I use Anyway and Regardless interchangeably?
Not always. Anyway and Regardless 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.