Cool MateFor better or worse vs Regardless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
For better or worse
Top 2,000 (common)
Regardless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
| For better or worse | Regardless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //fɔː ˈbɛtə ə ɔː wɜːs//🇺🇸 //fɔr ˈbɛtərər ɔr wɜrs// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːdləs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/"]/ |
| Meaning | No matter if the outcome is good or bad. | No matter what; not paying attention to something. |
| Example | For better or worse, I'm committed to this project. | The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | for better or worse decisions, commit for better or worse, accept for better or worse, live for better or worse | regardless of the consequences, regardless of the situation, regardless of age |
| Antonyms | - | considering, mindful, concerned |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal contexts like business or legal discussions., Confusing it with 'for the better' which implies only positive outcomes., Omitting the 'or worse' part, changing the meaning. | '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 acceptance of all possible outcomes, often in personal situations. It's neutral and feels personal, suitable for conversations about relationships or decisions. | 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: For better or worse vs Regardless
What's the difference between For better or worse and Regardless?
For better or worse: No matter if the outcome is good or bad. Regardless: No matter what; not paying attention to something.
Can you show an example of each?
For better or worse: For better or worse, I'm committed to this project. Regardless: The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**.
Can I use For better or worse and Regardless interchangeably?
Not always. For better or worse 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.