Cool MateCount it vs Regard
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Count it
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Regard
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: RegardMost common: Regard
| Count it | Regard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kaʊnt ɪt//🇺🇸 //kaʊnt ɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To accept or acknowledge something, often a condition. | To think about someone or something in a certain way. |
| Example | If you can't come to the party, count it as missed fun. | Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | count it as a loss, count it as a lesson, count it towards your goals | highly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with |
| Antonyms | - | disregard, neglect, disdain |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal situations; 'Count it' is too casual., Confusing with 'count it as'- they have different uses., Assuming it's always positive; it can indicate acceptance of bad news. | Confused with 'regards' when closing emails., Using 'regard' without an object (it's typically used with one)., Confusing it with 'regard as' and misplacing the subject. |
| Usage notes | Common in spoken English; often used when clarifying feelings or decisions. Avoid in formal writing. | Used to express opinion or feeling towards someone or something. Often used in both written and spoken English. May not be suitable in very casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Count it vs Regard
What's the difference between Count it and Regard?
Count it: To accept or acknowledge something, often a condition. Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way.
Which is more formal: Count it and Regard?
Regard is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Count it and Regard?
Regard is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Count it: If you can't come to the party, count it as missed fun. Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right.
Can I use Count it and Regard interchangeably?
Not always. Count it and Regard 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.