September 21, 2011

irregardless:

[irr-re-gard-less]


Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir-  and -less.  It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable.  Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis, and usually end up sounding pretty stupid.

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