Cool MateAdmiration vs Appreciation vs Regard
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Admiration
Appreciation
Regard
| Admiration | Appreciation | Regard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˌæd.mɪˈreɪ.ʃən//🇺🇸 //ˌæd.məˈreɪ.ʃən// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A feeling of great respect and approval. | Feeling thankful or valuing something. | To think about someone or something in a certain way. |
| Example | Her admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review. | Her appreciation for classical music grew after taking a piano lesson. | Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | |
| Collocations | express admiration, gain admiration, feel admiration, win admiration, show admiration | deep, great, real, have, share, show, in appreciation, appreciation for, appreciation of, better, clear, deep, have, gain, appreciation of, deep, genuine, heartfelt, express, show, extend, in appreciation (of), with appreciation, appreciation for, a lack of appreciation, a token of your appreciation | highly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with |
| Antonyms | - | disregard, disrespect, indifference | disregard, neglect, disdain |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'admire' - using it as a verb instead of a noun., Incorrectly using it in negative contexts, as admiration is generally positive. | Confused with 'appreciate' as a verb., Incorrectly used in plural form as 'appreciations'., Using it without a specific object (should be 'appreciation of art'). | 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. |
| Usage notes | Used to express respect for someone's qualities or achievements. Typically positive and appropriate in formal and informal contexts. | Use 'appreciation' when talking about recognizing the worth of someone or something. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may feel a bit formal 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Admiration vs Appreciation vs Regard
What's the difference between Admiration, Appreciation, and Regard?
Admiration: A feeling of great respect and approval. Appreciation: Feeling thankful or valuing something. Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way.
Which is more advanced: Admiration, Appreciation, and Regard?
Appreciation is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Admiration: Her admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review. Appreciation: Her appreciation for classical music grew after taking a piano lesson. Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right.
Can I use Admiration, Appreciation, and Regard interchangeably?
Not always. Admiration, Appreciation, and Regard 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.