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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
earn someone's respect
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Respect is earned, not given; we all have to earn each other's respect".
News & Media
"He has earned everyone's respect.
News & Media
The Yankees have earned Mulder's respect.
News & Media
His efforts earned Grant's respect.
Wiki
And he earns Barbie's respect.
News & Media
Still, he earned the union's respect.
News & Media
She doesn't do this by shouting or clapping her hands, but rather by being someone who's respect I want to earn and maintain.
News & Media
Taking a little initiative to make someone's day a little easier will earn you respect.
Wiki
Earn your children's respect.
Wiki
"It will be a tough challenge to find someone to earn the respect of the community the way he has," she said.
News & Media
This is the best way to earn trust and respect, especially when engaging with someone who feels threatened and disempowered.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that respect is a result of specific actions, character traits or achievements. It is particularly effective in professional narratives or character-driven stories where growth is a theme.
Common error
Avoid using 'demand respect' when you mean to describe a process of growth. Demanding respect implies a power dynamic or a requirement, whereas "earn someone's respect" describes a voluntary shift in how others perceive you based on your merit.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "earn someone's respect" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the dynamic verb 'earn', which requires an object, and the noun phrase 'someone's respect', where 'someone's' acts as a possessive determiner. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to denote a causal relationship between a person's behavior and the resulting social validation.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
25%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Science
5%
Reference
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "earn someone's respect" is a powerful and highly frequent idiomatic expression used to describe the hard-won acquisition of esteem. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is a standard fixture in professional and news writing, appearing consistently in sources like The New York Times and BBC. Unlike "command respect", which implies innate authority, the phrase "earn someone's respect" underscores the importance of actions, integrity and time. It is grammatically sound and versatile, making it an essential tool for any writer describing professional growth or social dynamics.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
gain someone's respect
More neutral and focuses on the acquisition of respect rather than the effort implied by earning it.
win the respect of
Emphasizes the competitive or achievement-oriented nature of gaining someone's approval.
command respect
Suggests that the person naturally receives respect due to their presence or authority without necessarily working for it.
garner respect
More formal and often used in academic or professional writing to describe the collection of esteem over time.
merit respect
Indicates that the person deserves respect based on their qualities regardless of whether it is actively given.
deserve respect
A passive state of being worthy of respect rather than the active process of earning it.
win someone over
Focuses on changing someone's opinion or gaining their favor generally rather than specifically gaining respect.
build respect
Highlights the long-term process and effort required to develop a respectful relationship.
elicit respect
Focuses on the reaction the person causes in others.
command admiration
Shifts the focus from respect to a more emotional or aesthetic appreciation.
FAQs
How to use "earn someone's respect" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe how actions lead to esteem, such as: "Through consistent hard work, she managed to "gain the respect of" her peers" or "His integrity helped him "earn someone's respect" in the community."
What can I say instead of "earn someone's respect"?
You can use alternatives like "gain someone's respect", "command respect" or "merit respect" depending on whether you want to focus on the acquisition, the presence or the worthiness of the person.
What is the difference between "earn respect" and "command respect"?
To "earn someone's respect" implies an active process where you work to prove your worth. Conversely, to "command respect" suggests that your status, skill or personality is so powerful that respect is given naturally without a struggle.
Is it "earn respect from someone" or "earn someone's respect"?
Both are grammatically correct. "earn someone's respect" is more common in idiomatic usage, while "earn respect from someone" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the source of the respect.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested