Cool MateDeference vs Regard vs Submission
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deference
Regard
Submission
| Deference | Regard | Submission | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdɛf(ə)r(ə)ns//🇺🇸 //ˈdɛf(ə)rəns// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səbˈmɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səbˈmɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | Respect and submission to someone else's opinions or decisions. | To think about someone or something in a certain way. | Giving up control or agreeing to someone else's authority. |
| Example | She showed great deference to her mentor's advice during the project. | Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. | The deadline for submission of the project is next Monday. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | |
| Collocations | show deference, act in deference, deference to authority, display deference, deference in opinions | highly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with | complete, total, demand, expect, get, submission to, detailed, lengthy, joint, make, accept, reject, in a/the submission, submission for, submission to, oral, written, closing, consider, hear, support |
| Antonyms | disrespect, insubordination, defiance | disregard, neglect, disdain | defiance, rebellion, resistance |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'difference' when speaking., Using 'deference' in informal situations where it sounds awkward., Mistaking 'deference' for 'reference' in written texts. | Confused with 'regards' when closing emails., Using 'regard' without an object (it's typically used with one)., Confusing it with 'regard as' and misplacing the subject. | Confused with 'submitting', which is the act of sending something., Used inappropriately in informal contexts., Misunderstood as a weakness rather than a voluntary act. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal contexts or discussions about respect. Less common in casual conversation. | Used to express opinion or feeling towards someone or something. Often used in both written and spoken English. May not be suitable in very casual conversations. | Often used in formal contexts, such as legal or organizational settings. It may not be suitable in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Deference vs Regard vs Submission
What's the difference between Deference, Regard, and Submission?
Deference: Respect and submission to someone else's opinions or decisions. Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way. Submission: Giving up control or agreeing to someone else's authority.
Which is more common: Deference, Regard, and Submission?
Regard is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Deference, Regard, and Submission?
Submission is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Deference: She showed great deference to her mentor's advice during the project. Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. Submission: The deadline for submission of the project is next Monday.
Can I use Deference, Regard, and Submission interchangeably?
Not always. Deference, Regard, and Submission 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.