respects

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "respects" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a degree of admiration, honor or regard for something or someone. For example: "We must always show respect for our elders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.

The Guardian

They may lack empathy and compassion, but that doesn't mean they are all that different from the rest of us in other respects – and that we can't learn from them, both in terms of what they're doing right, and what they're getting wrong.

The Guardian - Money

Dees fans will hope he doesn't kick a bag against them but you'd hope that in all other respects, his return will be a success.

The Guardian - Sport

In some respects, they were ahead of Ukip in that they espoused these reactionary political views years before the party gained any traction.

The Guardian

It respects the missions of different institutions, in a way that the research excellence framework, league tables and newspapers do not.

The Guardian

In many respects he will be a hard act to follow.

The Guardian - Sport

"McDonald's respects the traditions and beliefs of all the countries in which we have had the opportunity to work," it says in Spanish.

The Guardian

Their chins remained up and it was, in many respects, a decent away performance.

The Guardian - Sport

The blog is in full here, but Campbell specifically pays his respects to Kennedy's struggles as well as his triumphs.

The Guardian

People are more likely to have been born abroad and, in some key respects such as attitudes to immigration, they are more liberal.

The Guardian

"We have made criticisms, some of them in strong terms, but we are unable to say that the murders could have been avoided by a better standard of care in these respects," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "respects", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to admiration, compliance, or consideration. The sentence structure should support the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "respects" when a stronger word like "loves" or "cherishes" is more appropriate to convey deep affection or emotional connection. "Respects" primarily indicates regard and admiration, not necessarily intense emotion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "respects" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates that a subject performs the action of having respect for someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "respects" is a versatile term, commonly used as a third-person singular verb to express admiration, compliance, or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Its prevalence in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and scientific contexts underscores its neutrality and professional usage. When writing, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, whether you are expressing admiration, compliance, or general positive regard. While alternatives like "admires" or "complies with" may provide nuanced distinctions, "respects" remains a robust and reliable choice for expressing appropriate regard.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admires

Focuses more on positive regard and admiration.

honors

Emphasizes high regard and esteem, often in a formal context.

values

Highlights the importance and worth attributed to something.

regards

Indicates consideration and attention towards something or someone.

complies with

Focuses on adherence to rules or standards.

obeys

Implies submission to authority or rules.

observes

Emphasizes adherence to customs, laws, or traditions.

acknowledges

Indicates recognition of the importance or validity of something.

defers to

Shows courteous respect.

upholds

Emphasizes maintaining or supporting something of value.

FAQs

How do I use "respects" in a sentence?

You can use "respects" to show admiration, compliance, or consideration. For example: "He respects her opinion", "The company respects the law", or "One always respects elders".

What's the difference between "respects" and "admires"?

"Respects" implies a general positive regard, while "admires" suggests a stronger feeling of appreciation and approval. You respect someone's position, but admire their achievements.

What are some alternatives to "respects"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "honors", "complies with", "values", or "obeys".

Which is correct: "he respects the rule" or "he respects to the rule"?

"He respects the rule" is correct. The verb "respect" directly takes the object without the need for the preposition "to".