something to admire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something to admire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a quality, characteristic, or achievement that is worthy of respect or appreciation. Example: "Her dedication to her work is truly something to admire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This gives the woman something to appreciate, something to admire which reflects your admiration of her.

WikiHow

"It's something to admire from afar".

The New York Times

There is something to admire about that.

The Guardian - Sport

But there was always something to admire.

The Guardian - Music

Ballet, I think, is really something to admire.

The New York Times

Americans have long considered wealth something to admire and pursue, not vilify and redistribute.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And that is something to admire--and it gets harder and harder to find in the sports world these days.

Huffington Post

At the Christofle store on Madison Avenue, he found something else to admire: the Squeeze wine server, a squiggle of shapely silver that cradles a bottle.

The New York Times

The players he had helped bring to Israel were mobbed by fans who had come to worship at the Western Wall and then found something else to admire.

The New Yorker

A few doors over, at Janus et Cie, he found something else to admire: the Janus aluminum umbrella, which he liked for its solid construction and the casters on its base.

The New York Times

What this means is that they (and often, we) are too busy gabbing about something provocative to admire the food nestled on a Wedgewood plate.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something to admire" when you want to highlight a positive attribute or action that warrants respect or appreciation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "something to admire" in contexts where simple appreciation or liking would suffice. Reserve it for situations where genuine respect or high regard is warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something to admire" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a quality, characteristic, or achievement worthy of respect and appreciation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and the examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

4%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something to admire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight commendable qualities or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, although it's most prevalent in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with a genuine sense of respect, distinguishing it from simple liking or appreciation. Alternatives like "something to commend" or "something to appreciate" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. While versatile, avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something to commend

Replaces "admire" with "commend", focusing on praise and formal approval.

something to appreciate

Shifts the focus to recognizing the value or worth of something.

something to respect

Emphasizes reverence and high regard.

a noteworthy quality

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase highlighting a specific characteristic.

an admirable trait

Similar to "noteworthy quality" but emphasizes a characteristic.

a remarkable aspect

Highlights a particular feature that stands out.

a praiseworthy attribute

Combines praise with a specific quality.

something deserving of recognition

Focuses on the act of acknowledging merit.

something that elicits admiration

Uses a more complex sentence structure to express the same core meaning.

a point of excellence

Highlights a specific instance or aspect of superior quality.

FAQs

How can I use "something to admire" in a sentence?

You can use "something to admire" to point out a quality or characteristic worthy of respect. For instance, "Her dedication to her craft is truly "something to admire"".

What can I say instead of "something to admire"?

You can use alternatives like "something to commend", "something to appreciate", or "something to respect" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "something to admire"?

While generally acceptable, "something to admire" should be used when there's a genuine sense of respect or high regard, rather than mere liking. Consider the context to ensure it fits the level of appreciation you intend to express.

What makes "something to admire" different from "something to like"?

"Something to admire" implies a deeper level of respect and recognition of value or worth, whereas "something to like" simply indicates enjoyment or preference. Admiration involves recognizing a quality or achievement as commendable.