pay respect to vs pay respect for

Both 'pay respect to' and 'pay respect for' are commonly used phrases in English, but they are used in different contexts. 'Pay respect to' is used to show admiration or acknowledgment towards someone or something, while 'pay respect for' is used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone or something.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 4542 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"pay respect to"

This phrase is used to show admiration or acknowledgment towards someone or something. It is often used in formal or respectful contexts.

Examples:

We should pay respect to our elders.
It is important to pay respect to the traditions of the past.
He paid his respects to the fallen soldiers.
She paid respect to her mentor by following in his footsteps.
The students paid their respects to the teacher on her retirement.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm only here to pay respect to your soul.
We should take this opportunity to go back and pay respect to him.
Let's pause a minute to pay respect to this anonymous...
Let's pause a minute to pay respect to this anonymous...
Tibetan pilgrims come to pay respect to the gods who live here.
We French always pay respect to the dead of our allies.
At that time my parents went to the countryside to pay respect to our ancestors.
We are all here to pay respect to Big Joe.
And we of the medical and scientific fields in England pay respect to Dr. Beaumont for the most incredible achievement in the history of medical science.
Let's take off our shoes and sit and pay respect to a courageous woman who escaped the clutches of adolf hitler to live a long, productive life... only to be snuffed out by a hypoallergenic pillow from bed bath beyond.
We take time from our busy day to pay respect to the mothers and fathers husbands and wives, sisters and brothers sons and daughters who are no longer with us.
What if they forgo appearances and don't pay respect to the Naegi clan?
Okay, I'd like us to pay respect to those people now.
Now, I can peacefully pay respect to the nation's great soldiers buried here all thanks to you!
I pay respect to Mr Alvaro as rapporteur of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs;I have been to that committee on a number of occasions to have discussions on these points.
Mr President, firstly, I should like to pay respect to my colleagues Mr Watts, Mr Savary and Mrs Darras for bringing this point to the House for our consideration.

Alternatives:

show respect to
give respect to
offer respect to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"pay respect for"

This phrase is used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone or something. It is often used in situations where recognition or acknowledgment is due.

Examples:

We should pay respect for their hard work.
She paid respect for the sacrifices made by her ancestors.
He paid his respects for the support he received.
They paid respect for the opportunities they were given.
The community paid their respects for the generosity of the donors.

Show examples from the web [+]

We are here this morning to pay respect... for the passing of Sarah Ironson... devoted wife of...
I therefore voted for this proposal, which aims to implement the polluter-pays principle - respect for which has been very gradual - and introduces measures restricting the shipping of these goods to third countries.
Under the old Rule 36 of this Parliament, we were required to 'pay particular attention to respect for fundamental rights'.
During the examination of a legislative proposal, Parliament shall pay particular attention to respect for fundamental rights
During the examination of a proposal for a legislative act, Parliament shall pay particular attention to respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.
By means of forceful pressure from its largest trade partner, the EU, Libya really should be made to pay attention to what respect for human rights and freedoms means and what these entail.
With passion and enthusiasm we pay profound respects to TED for its outstanding humanism, the scope of its principles, for its open and generous promotion of young values.
During the examination of a proposal for a legislative act, Parliament shall pay particular attention to respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality
First of all, we must ensure that equal treatment is applied, and much stricter controls should be put in place in this respect - equal pay for men and women on which all our social security systems are based.
- Mellie's going to see the pastor's wife tomorrow, to pay respects.
Monique, you call a cease-fire and pay respects.
That has-been Boothe too cheap to pay respects?
We should take this opportunity to go back and pay respect to him.
I'm just here to pay respects to my father.
I don't think he came to pay respects.
Must be hard to pay respects to a murderous cult leader.
Now, I need to go pay respects to our dead.
Let's pause a minute to pay respect to this anonymous...
I came to pay respects to the Crown Prince's birth mother.
Let's pause a minute to pay respect to this anonymous...

Alternatives:

show respect for
give respect for
offer respect for

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pay respect to vs pay respect for

"pay respect to"

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