pay reverence

USAGE SUMMARY

'pay reverence' is correct and usable in written English.
It's an idiomatic expression meaning to show respect or honor to someone or something. For example, "The community gathered to pay reverence to the fallen soldiers on Veterans Day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Adherents pay reverence to a tablet of Okhwang every morning and evening by offering fresh water, burning incense, lighting a candle, and bowing four times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The usual way for a pilgrim to pay reverence to a Buddhist stupa is to walk around it, keeping it on his right hand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Assisi she's "outraged" by the pilgrims who wait in line to pay reverence to the relics of St. Francis but ignore the frescoes of Giotto.

The New York Times - Books

We sat overlooking Hafez's shrine, squeezing wedges of lime into our fragrant rosewater-infused sorbets and watching a steady stream of Iranians pay reverence to their most cherished poet.

The Guardian - Travel

You don't pay reverence to the Quran by kissing it and keeping it on the top shelf, covering it with the best of coverings.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Man then paid reverence to revenge, and deified human feelings of love and fear, among others.

Wikipedia

I approached it with the idea of paying reverence to the original album.

Huffington Post

The sounds of "The Band," and the night howls of Neil Young... but better than that is his fierce, undying and unwavering pulse that spells majestic when he sings about his wife "Abolene," or pays reverence to the Lord Jesus and gives non-believers a thrust forward.

Huffington Post

Some believe that malaria is caused by bad water, others that the illness of a child could be caused by a failure to pay due reverence to particular spirits.

Unicef

Paradoxically, while McPherson pays such reverence to "group ethos" and ancestor worship, his own life experience seems to have taken him in a different direction.

The New York Times - Books

When he was introduced to the king, and had paid his reverence to him, he stood silent, till the king commanding the interpreter to ask him who he was, he replied, "O king, I am Themistocles the Athenian, driven into banishment by the Greeks.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay reverence" when you want to express a formal or respectful acknowledgement of someone or something's importance or worth. Consider the context to ensure the level of formality aligns with your intended message.

Common error

While "pay reverence" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted. In informal contexts, opt for simpler phrases like "show respect" or "honor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay reverence" functions as a verb phrase where "pay" acts as a transitive verb taking "reverence" as its direct object. It expresses the action of bestowing honor or respect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay reverence" is a formal way to express deep respect or honor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, though less common in everyday language. It is more typically found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When writing, consider using synonyms such as "show respect" or "give homage" depending on the context to avoid sounding overly formal. Understanding these nuances will help you use "pay reverence" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regard with reverence

Highlights the feeling of reverence rather than the act of paying it.

show respect

Focuses on the act of displaying respect, a core component of paying reverence.

accord respect

Formal way of saying giving/showing respect

give homage

Emphasizes a formal act of acknowledging someone's worth or authority.

honor greatly

Emphasizes the act of honoring someone in a significant way.

revere greatly

Focuses on feelings of deep respect and admiration.

express veneration

Highlights deep respect and admiration, often with a spiritual connotation.

venerate deeply

Implies a profound level of respect and admiration.

offer devotion

Suggests a strong sense of loyalty and dedication.

esteem highly

Focuses on the high value placed on someone or something.

FAQs

What does "pay reverence" mean?

The phrase "pay reverence" means to show deep respect or honor to someone or something. It implies a feeling of admiration and deference.

How can I use "pay reverence" in a sentence?

You can use "pay reverence" to describe actions or attitudes that demonstrate respect, such as "The pilgrims gathered to pay reverence to the saint's relics."

What can I say instead of "pay reverence"?

You can use alternatives like "show respect", "give homage", or "express veneration" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to "pay reverence" or "show respect"?

"Pay reverence" is more formal and implies deeper admiration than "show respect", which is a more general term for acknowledging someone's worth.