Is it Respect To or For? Which is Correct?

Grammar / By

We use both “respect to” and “respect for” in English. We use “respect for” when we want to show respect in general and “respect to” when we want to direct our respect in a particular direction.

Examples:

I always have respect for people who work hard.

I am showing respect to you. 

The difference between “respect to” and “respect for” is that when we use “respect to”, we are sending our respect in the direction of someone or some people. We use  “respect for”  when we just want to say that we respect something. 

Respect for

We use “respect for” when we want to show that we want to respect people and their qualities or any other noun that warrants it. 

Examples:

I have a lot of respect for nature. 

My respect for you is real. 

People in Asia have respect for people older than them.

Respect to

We use “respect to” when we are directly talking to someone or when the respect is direct towards someone. The use of “to” here is a common way to use “to” in English and has the meaning of moving in a particular direction(eg I am going to the cinema).

Examples:

Respect to my homies!

I always pay respect to my God before I go outside.

Respect for or Respect to

The above explanation should be used as a guide as there are situations where you can use either “respect to” or  “respect for”. 

You can pay attention to the context and that might help you decide which preposition to use.

Verbs with respect to

Show respect to 

Pay respect to 

Give respect to 

Respect to…(Imperative)

Verbs with respect for

Have respect for 

 

There are also situations when you don’t need to use any prepositions.

I respect you. 

He respects his grandmother. 

Respectful of/to 

We use the preposition “of” when we use the adjective form “respectful” with something and “to” with someone. 

Examples:

I am always respectful of our boundaries.

Please be respectful to our neighbors. 

Respect or Respects

We use “respects” as a verb with the third-person singular and as a plural for the noun “respect”.

Examples:

He always respects his mother.

You need to go to the funeral home to pay your respects. 

Huge Respect To or For?

You can use either “huge respect to” when you are sending your respect directly to someone and “huge respect for” when you want to say that you have a lot of respect for something.

Much Respect

“Much respect” similar to “much love” are modern informal expressions in English. “Much respect” means “I have a lot of respect for you”. I wouldn’t use this expression in a formal situation.

Respect towards?

“Respect towards” is possible but you might as well use “respect to” as they mean the same thing. 

You should show respect towards your colleagues.

Conor
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