a mere respect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere respect" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a minimal or superficial level of respect, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "His actions showed a mere respect for the rules, rather than genuine adherence to them."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The result is a state religion that has no rational foundations, a mere "respect for ecclesiastics" that involves adulation and mysteries but no true worship of God.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is why a crucial task of those fighting for emancipation today is to move beyond mere respect for others towards a positive emancipatory Leitkultur that alone can sustain an authentic coexistence and immixing of different cultures.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Vanni, a region that has been bypassed by time, Mr Prabhakaran commands a Führer's awe rather than the mere respect accorded to ordinary leaders.But Mr Prabhakaran is striking democratic poses.

The Economist

From society's point of view, leaving a separate space for supererogatory action may strengthen mutual trust and communal bonds since it often indicates and promotes love and personal concern rather than mere respect for persons and a sense of justice.

SEP

Rather, what he offers is an explanation of the selectivity of my love, an explanation that as a matter of fact makes my response be that of love rather than mere respect.

SEP

They were received with something more than mere respect.

Independent

We place that white piece of cloth around his waist out of mere respect".

Vice

And then there's the religious nature of the approach: the ritualised bowing and the reverence, which goes beyond mere respect for the dead.

Vice

The second case is in some respects a mere consequence of the classification of sciences, if we agree to consider humanity as the proper object of sociology.

SEP

In some respects this was a mere extension of the idea that in total war the strategic goal was to break the will of a society to resist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These observations suggest that E. coli plays a more active role in C. elegans nutrition and metabolism than as a mere food source, and in some respects acts as microbiota (Lenaerts et al., 2008).

Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a mere respect" with stronger, more precise phrasing such as "superficial respect" or "limited respect" to better convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere respect" when you intend to convey deep admiration or reverence. The phrase implies a minimal or superficial level of regard, so ensure your wording aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere respect" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a limited or superficial form of respect. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the phrasing is awkward and uncommon, making it less effective in conveying the intended meaning. It is better to replace it with a stronger term.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "a mere respect" attempts to describe a limited or superficial form of regard, the phrasing is grammatically awkward and uncommon, as noted by Ludwig AI. It's better to use clearer alternatives like "superficial respect" or "limited respect" to improve clarity and precision. Although examples exist in both scientific and news media contexts, adopting more standard phrasing enhances communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superficial respect

Emphasizes the lack of depth or sincerity in the respect.

a limited respect

Highlights the constrained or restricted nature of the respect.

a perfunctory respect

Indicates that the respect is shown as a matter of routine or duty, without genuine feeling.

a token respect

Suggests that the respect is given as a symbolic gesture, lacking true substance.

a shallow respect

Implies that the respect is superficial and lacks deep understanding or appreciation.

a basic level of respect

Focuses on the fundamental or minimal amount of respect shown.

a formal respect

Indicates that the respect is based on protocol or etiquette, rather than personal admiration.

a semblance of respect

Suggests an outward appearance of respect that may not be genuine.

a modicum of respect

Emphasizes a small or limited amount of respect.

a polite respect

Highlights the courteous or civil nature of the respect, without necessarily implying deep regard.

FAQs

What does "a mere respect" imply?

The phrase "a mere respect" suggests a superficial or minimal level of regard, implying that the respect is not deeply felt or sincerely held. It indicates a basic level of acknowledgment without genuine admiration or appreciation.

What can I say instead of "a mere respect"?

You can use alternatives like "superficial respect", "limited respect", or "token respect" to better convey the intended meaning of minimal or insincere regard.

Is "a mere respect" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "a mere respect" is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. It's generally better to use clearer and more standard alternatives such as "superficial respect" or "minimal respect".

How can I use "a mere respect" in a sentence?

While it's best to use alternative phrasing, you could use "a mere respect" in a sentence like: "His actions showed a mere respect for the rules, rather than genuine adherence to them." However, consider replacing it with a stronger phrase for clarity.