showing respect

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Behaving in a polite, considerate way toward someone or something you value.

   Grammar: Used as a noun-like phrase: it can be a subject ('Showing respect matters') or follow 'be' ('That was showing respect').

   Patterns

   • showing respect for someone
   • showing respect to someone
   • showing respect toward someone

   Standing when the judge entered the room was her way of showing respect.

   He thanked the elders, showing respect for the traditions of his village.

   Showing respect to the new teacher, the class stood up when she came in.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Treating a rule, custom, or belief as important by acting in line with it.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'for' plus the thing that is valued: showing respect for the law, for other people's beliefs.

   Patterns

   • showing respect for something
   • showing respect for rules
   • showing respect for someone's wishes

   By turning off his phone during the ceremony, he was showing respect for the custom.

   The company says it is showing respect for local laws by hiring local staff.

   She kept quiet during the prayer, showing respect for her friend's religion.

Common combinations

a way of showing respect

Removing your shoes at the door is a way of showing respect in many homes.

showing respect for someone

The students wrote thank-you notes, showing respect for their retiring teacher.

showing respect to someone

He bowed slightly, showing respect to the guests as they arrived.

without showing respect

He grabbed the book from her hands without showing respect for her work.

showing respect for the rules

Waiting your turn is simply showing respect for the rules of the game.

Synonyms and how they differ

courtesy

Courtesy is the polite behavior itself; 'showing respect' stresses that the behavior expresses how much you value someone.

deference

Deference is formal and suggests accepting that someone has higher status; 'showing respect' is broader and more neutral in tone.

consideration

Consideration focuses on thinking about other people's needs; 'showing respect' focuses on signaling that you value them or their rules.

Opposites

Word family

respect noun

The feeling or attitude of valuing someone or something.

respect verb

To admire someone or treat them politely.

respectful adjective

Behaving in a polite way that shows you value someone.

respectfully adverb

In a polite way that shows you value someone.

disrespect noun

Behavior that shows a lack of respect.

Commonly confused: showing respect or respectfully? showing respect or showing off?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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