Cool MateEither way vs Regardless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Either way
Top 3,000 (common)
Regardless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Most common: Regardless
| Either way | Regardless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈiːðər weɪ//🇺🇸 //ˈiːðər weɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːdləs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/"]/ |
| Meaning | No matter what choice is made. | No matter what; not paying attention to something. |
| Example | We'll go to the park today; either way, we should have fun. | The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | either way decision, either way approach, either way situation | regardless of the consequences, regardless of the situation, regardless of age |
| Antonyms | - | considering, mindful, concerned |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly in formal writing., Confused with 'either' as a standalone word., Not used in situations needing clear choices. | '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 | Used to indicate that the outcome is the same regardless of the decision made. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, often in informal conversations. | 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: Either way vs Regardless
What's the difference between Either way and Regardless?
Either way: No matter what choice is made. Regardless: No matter what; not paying attention to something.
Which is more common: Either way and Regardless?
Regardless is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Either way: We'll go to the park today; either way, we should have fun. Regardless: The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**.
Can I use Either way and Regardless interchangeably?
Not always. Either way 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.