won the respect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won the respect" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to earn someone's admiration or esteem through one's actions or behavior. Example: John won the respect of his colleagues by consistently delivering high-quality work and showing great leadership skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We won the respect we deserve and you can, too".

The New York Times

"I soon won the respect of my opponents," Willis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Bailey has won the respect of colleagues.

The New York Times

Near the end of his teen-age years, he finally won the respect of his peers.

The New Yorker

She navigated the factions with ease, and won the respect of everyone.

The New Yorker

He has kept the economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, who has won the respect of investors.

The Economist

They won awards, won the respect of their colleagues and produced great television journalism".

The New York Times

Added Manduca: "I think Apoel has won the respect of the big teams.

The New York Times

Berwanger was an excellent student and his athletic abilities won the respect of his peers.

The New York Times

Even though Prahalis was intercepted three times, he won the respect of Sachem Coach Fred Fusaro.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

By standing up to the Chinese censorship regime, Google has won the respect and admiration of millions of Chinese netizens, myself included.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "won the respect" when highlighting how someone's specific actions or qualities have led to them being admired or esteemed by others.

Common error

Avoid using "won the respect" when describing positions of authority where respect is often assumed. Instead, use it to illustrate how someone earned that respect through demonstrated competence or character.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won the respect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of gaining admiration or esteem from others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts. It often follows a subject and precedes a prepositional phrase specifying who the respect was won from.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

24%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "won the respect" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that highlights the act of earning admiration or esteem through demonstrated actions and qualities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Academic sources. While generally positive, it's important to consider the context in which respect was earned. Be mindful not to use it in situations where respect is merely assumed due to authority. Alternatives like "earned the admiration" or "gained the esteem" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earned the admiration

This alternative emphasizes the earning of admiration rather than just respect, suggesting a potentially higher degree of positive regard. Also more passive.

gained the esteem

Replaces "respect" with "esteem", indicating a more formal and elevated level of regard. Also more passive.

commanded respect

This suggests that the respect was obtained through authority or inherent qualities rather than earned through specific actions.

earned recognition

Emphasis is placed on the act of obtaining recognition, which can be interpreted as a less intense version of gaining respect.

secured the high regard

Indicates that a strong sense of value and respect was successfully obtained and made safe.

garnered recognition

Focuses on receiving acknowledgment or validation, which may or may not equate to deep respect.

achieved recognition

Focuses on the act of achieving acknowledgement, a less emotionally driven form of respect.

became well-regarded

This describes a state of being viewed positively, without necessarily specifying the actions that led to it.

cultivated a reputation

Implies a gradual building of respect over time, focusing on the resulting reputation rather than a specific achievement.

won acclaim

Focuses on enthusiastic public praise or approval, which is different from the more internal feeling of respect.

FAQs

How can I use "won the respect" in a sentence?

Use "won the respect" to describe how someone's actions, qualities, or achievements led others to admire or esteem them. For example, "She "won the respect" of her colleagues through her dedication and hard work."

What can I say instead of "won the respect"?

Alternatives include "earned the admiration", "gained the esteem", or "commanded respect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "won the respect" and "demanded respect"?

"Won the respect" implies that respect was earned through actions or qualities, while "demanded respect" suggests that respect was insisted upon, often through authority or force. The former is generally seen as more genuine and positive.

Is it always positive to say someone "won the respect"?

While generally positive, it's crucial to consider the context. If someone "won the respect" through unethical or harmful actions, it can be a critical observation rather than a compliment. The intent and impact of the actions matter.