Admire vs I respect it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Admire

Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb

I respect it

Top 1,000 (very common)
 AdmireI respect it
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ədˈmaɪə(r)/","/ədˈmaɪəz/","/ədˈmaɪəd/","/ədˈmaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ədˈmaɪər/","/ədˈmaɪərz/","/ədˈmaɪərd/","/ədˈmaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //aɪ rɪˈspɛkt ɪt//🇺🇸 //aɪ rɪˈspɛkt ɪt//
MeaningTo think highly of someone or something and appreciate their qualities.I admire or value it.
ExampleI really admire her dedication to her work.I respect it when people keep their promises.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsdeeply, enormously, greatly, have to, about, for, be generally admired, be widely admired, can’t help admiring, pause to, stop to, stand back torespect someone's opinion, respect the rules, earn respect, gain someone's respect, mutual respect
Antonymsdespise, disdain, scorn-
Common mistakesConfused with 'admiration' as a verb., Incorrectly using 'admire' without an object., Using 'admire' inappropriately in casual contexts.Misusing 'respect' as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing with 'admire' or 'appreciate' without understanding subtle differences., Incorrect pronunciation or emphasis leading to misunderstanding.
Usage notesUse 'admire' when you want to express respect or approval for someone or something. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English, but might come across as less common in very casual conversations.Use 'I respect it' to show admiration or acknowledgment of something. It's polite and suitable for formal and casual situations, though be mindful not to use it in overly casual or joking contexts.

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I respect it

Frequently asked questions: Admire vs I respect it

What's the difference between Admire and I respect it?

Admire: To think highly of someone or something and appreciate their qualities. I respect it: I admire or value it.

Can you show an example of each?

Admire: I really admire her dedication to her work. I respect it: I respect it when people keep their promises.

Can I use Admire and I respect it interchangeably?

Not always. Admire and I respect it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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