Irregardless for Dummies

Hey there! So, you're looking to understand the word "irregardless," right? Well, let's break it down and make sure you grasp its meaning. Now, "irregardless" is a funny little word because it's what we call a double negative. It's made up of the prefix "ir-" and the word "regardless."

Now, when we add that "ir-" at the beginning, it usually means "not." So, for example, if we say "irregular," it means "not regular." But here's the tricky part, even though "irregardless" has that "ir-" at the beginning, it doesn't actually mean "not regardless." It actually means the same thing as "regardless."

Yes, I know it sounds a bit confusing, but think of it this way: "irregardless" is like adding an extra dose of emphasis to the word "regardless." It's like saying "regardless" but with a bit more oomph, you know? It's used to show that something is happening or being said without considering any circumstances or conditions.

For example, let's say you're having an important conversation with someone, and they keep interrupting you. You might say, "I need to finish my point, irregardless of your interruptions!" Here, you're emphasizing that you want to make your point regardless of the interruptions.

Now, I have a little tip for you. While "irregardless" is widely used in informal speech, some people consider it to be non-standard English. So, if you want to make sure you use proper language, it's best to stick with "regardless."

So, in a nutshell, "irregardless" means the same thing as "regardless," but with an added emphasis. It's used when you want to say something is happening or being said without considering any circumstances. But remember, it's always good to keep in mind that "regardless" is the more widely accepted and proper form. Hope that clears things up for you!