respectfully

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   In a way that shows polite regard for someone's worth, feelings or position.

   Grammar: Modifies a verb: listen respectfully, speak respectfully.

   Patterns

   • treat someone respectfully
   • speak respectfully to someone

   The students listened respectfully while the veteran spoke.

   She declined the offer respectfully and thanked them.

   Please treat the elderly respectfully.

2. 2adverbnot comparableformal

   Used before a statement, especially a disagreement or a request, to sound polite but firm.

   Grammar: Often appears at the start of a clause or before a verb: I respectfully disagree.

   Patterns

   • I respectfully disagree
   • respectfully request something

   I respectfully disagree with the committee's decision.

   The lawyer respectfully asked the court for more time.

   We respectfully request that guests turn off their phones.

3. 3adverbnot comparableformalold-fashioned

   Used in a formal sign-off before a signature, as in 'Respectfully yours'.

   Grammar: Appears at the end of a formal letter, usually capitalized and followed by a comma.

   Patterns

   • Respectfully yours
   • Respectfully submitted

   The letter ended, Respectfully yours, Captain Reed.

   Respectfully submitted, the committee members signed the petition.

   He signed the note respectfully before sealing the envelope.

Common combinations

respectfully disagree

I respectfully disagree, but I see your point.

listen respectfully

The crowd listened respectfully to the speaker.

respectfully decline

We respectfully decline the invitation.

treat respectfully

Visitors must treat the sacred site respectfully.

respectfully request

We respectfully request your help.

Synonyms and how they differ

politely

Politely focuses on good manners, while respectfully suggests regard for the person's status or worth.

courteously

Courteously is a little more formal than politely and stresses graciousness in manner.

deferentially

Deferentially implies yielding to someone's authority, whereas respectfully need not.

reverently

Reverently suggests deep awe, usually for something sacred, which is much stronger than respectfully.

Opposites

Word family

respect noun

admiration and regard for someone

respectful adjective

showing regard for others

respectable adjective

considered proper or decent

respectively adverb

in the order mentioned, a different word

Commonly confused: respectfully or respectively?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “respectfully”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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