respecting
respecting — preposition
1. used to introduce the subject or topic that you are talking or writing about
used to introduce the subject or topic that you are talking or writing about
Diego called a meeting respecting the new safety rules that take effect next month.
formal preposition meaning 'concerning'
The lawyer asked several detailed questions respecting the property agreement.
Noor sent an email to all staff respecting the changes to the school timetable.
There has been some confusion respecting the delivery dates for the new furniture.
The report contains detailed information respecting water quality across the region.
- regarding
less formal than respecting; common in both writing and speech
- concerning
similar formality, very common in official documents
- about
much more common in everyday language; less formal
文法句型
respecting + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used mainly in formal or legal writing. In everyday conversation, 'about' or 'regarding' is more common.
常見錯誤
respecting — verb
- respectingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- respectings3rd person singular
- respectinging-ing form
- respectingedpast simple
1. to have a good opinion of someone because of their character, abilities, or achi
to have a good opinion of someone because of their character, abilities, or achievements
Shanti deeply respects her grandmother's courage during the difficult war years.
respect + noun phrase for admired qualities
Ada respects the way the coach gives every player a fair chance to improve.
Hassan respects his older brother for working hard to support their family.
Many students respect Professor Lin because she explains difficult ideas with such clarity.
- admire
stronger emotional feeling; can be used for people you have not met
- look up to
phrasal verb, slightly informal; implies the person is a role model
- honour
more formal; often used for public recognition of achievement
- despise
strong negative feeling; the opposite of deep admiration
- look down on
to think someone is less important or good than you
文法句型
respect + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common pattern: respect someone FOR something (their effort, honesty, skill). Subject can be a person or a group.
常見錯誤
2. to have proper pride in your own character and not do things that are dishonest
to have proper pride in your own character and not do things that are dishonest or shameful
Erik respects himself too much to tell a lie just to please others.
respect + yourself + too much to + infinitive
Even after failing the exam, Lien respected herself for trying her best.
Putri respects herself enough to walk away from people who treat her badly.
Because Kwame respects himself, he refuses to cheat on exams however hard they are.
- have self-respect
the full phrasal equivalent; more explicit
- have pride in yourself
similar meaning but 'pride' can have a slightly negative connotation
- hold yourself in high regard
more formal
- have no self-respect
the direct opposite
- be ashamed of yourself
focuses on feeling shame rather than lacking dignity
文法句型
respect + yourself / oneself
用法筆記
Almost always takes a reflexive pronoun (yourself, herself, himself, oneself) as the object. This sense is about personal dignity, not achievement.
常見錯誤
3. to treat someone or something with care, gentleness, and consideration
to treat someone or something with care, gentleness, and consideration
Noor respects the old olive trees in her garden and never damages their roots.
respect + living things / objects
The night nurse respected the patient's wish to rest without being disturbed.
Eitan respects his younger sister's belongings and always asks before borrowing anything.
The gardener taught the children to respect the plants by watering them gently each morning.
- be gentle with
more specific; implies physical gentleness
- care for
focuses on looking after something, not just avoiding harm
- treat with consideration
more formal
文法句型
respect + noun phrase
用法筆記
Object is usually a living thing (person, animal, plant) or something fragile/delicate. The focus is on gentle treatment, not admiration.
常見錯誤
4. to allow other people to follow their own beliefs, customs, or lifestyle choices
to allow other people to follow their own beliefs, customs, or lifestyle choices without attempting to alter their ways or upset them
The school respects the religious holidays of all its students from different backgrounds.
respect + religious/cultural practices
Ilan respects his neighbour's right to play music though he hates the songs.
The tour guide told visitors to respect local customs when travelling abroad.
Aaron respects his wife's family traditions though they differ from his own.
- tolerate
weaker; you allow something without necessarily accepting its importance
- accept
similar but less active; accepting doesn't imply protecting the other's right
- acknowledge
to recognize the validity of someone's position
文法句型
respect + noun phrase (rights, customs, beliefs)
用法筆記
Object is usually an abstract noun: rights, beliefs, customs, culture, privacy, traditions, opinions. This sense focuses on non-interference rather than active care.
常見錯誤
5. to treat a custom, tradition, object, or principle as worthy of being kept in it
to treat a custom, tradition, object, or principle as worthy of being kept in its original form without alteration or damage
Hui respects the traditional farming methods passed down by her grandfather over many decades.
respect + traditions / methods
The community respects the natural landscape and refuses to build on protected land.
Shanti respects the cooking methods her grandmother taught her as a child.
The museum respects the original design and keeps all the old features intact.
文法句型
respect + noun phrase (customs, traditions, principles)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: sense 5 focuses on valuing traditions or objects for their own worth and preserving them; sense 4 focuses on not interfering with others' rights.
常見錯誤
6. to follow a law, rule, or official instruction because you believe it is right t
to follow a law, rule, or official instruction because you believe it is right to do so
All drivers must respect the speed limits on the highway to keep everyone safe.
respect + law / speed limit / rule
Hui respects the rules of the board game even when no one is watching.
The company respects all health and safety regulations in its factories.
Diego respects the curfew that his parents set for weekend nights.
文法句型
respect + law / rule / regulation
用法筆記
Object is always a law, rule, regulation, or similar authority. The word implies willing compliance because you agree the rule is important, not just fear of punishment.
常見錯誤
7. to carry out a request or follow advice from someone whose judgment you trust
to carry out a request or follow advice from someone whose judgment you trust
Shanti respected her doctor's advice and started exercising every morning before work.
respect + someone's advice / request
The team respected the captain's request to arrive fifteen minutes before the match.
Ada respected her father's wish that she study medicine instead of art.
The children respected their teacher's instruction to remain silent during the exam.
- comply with
more formal; implies following an explicit instruction
- follow
simpler and more common; 'follow someone's advice' is very frequent
- carry out
phrasal verb; focuses on completing the action requested
文法句型
respect + noun phrase (request, wish, decision, instruction)
用法筆記
Object is usually a request, wish, advice, or instruction from someone in authority. The focus is on carrying out their wish, not just on agreeing with it.