Cool MateRegard vs Respect
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Regard
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Respect
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Respect
| Regard | Respect | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈspekt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈspekt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To think about someone or something in a certain way. | To treat someone well and value their feelings. |
| Example | Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. | It's important to show respect to your elders. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | highly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with | considerable, deep, enormous, feel, have, hold somebody in, respect for, great, utmost, little, accord somebody/something, pay (somebody/something), show (somebody/something), out of respect, with respect, a lack of respect, a mark of respect, a sign of respect, certain, different, crucial, differ in, be alike in, be identical in, in… respect, in respect of, with respect to, in all, many, some, several, etc. respects, in every respect, in this respect |
| Antonyms | disregard, neglect, disdain | disrespect, contempt, scorn |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using 'respect' as a verb without an object, e.g., 'I respect' instead of 'I respect him.', Confusing 'respect' with 'regard' in phrases., Mispronouncing 'respect' by not emphasizing the second syllable. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'respect' in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate for professional situations, personal relationships, and discussions about values. Avoid using it in sarcastic or derogatory contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Regard vs Respect
What's the difference between Regard and Respect?
Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way. Respect: To treat someone well and value their feelings.
Which is more common: Regard and Respect?
Respect is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Regard and Respect?
Regard is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Regard and Respect the same CEFR level?
Regard: B2, Respect: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Regard and Respect?
Regard: verb, Respect: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. Respect: It's important to show respect to your elders.
Can I use Regard and Respect interchangeably?
Not always. Regard and Respect 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.