All three words in this word confusion — respectably vs respectfully vs respectively share the same root word: respect, and all three are adverbs. The first two, respectably vs respectfully, can be swapped about. The third, respectively, is all about the order.
Respectably presents someone worthy of respect. Someone who has behaved in a way that is considered socially acceptable in the eyes of their society.
Respectfully shows a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way. It shows an admiration for others, respecting your teachers, or your grandfather, or any other person with admirable traits.
Respectively is all “in that order” and how things relate.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Respectably | Respectfully | Respectively | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Part of Grammar: | |||
| Adverb | Adverb | Adverb | |
In a way that is regarded by society to be good, proper, honorable, suitable, or correct
To an adequate or acceptable standard |
With deference and respect
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Separately or individually and in the order already mentioned (used when enumerating two or more items or facts that refer back to a previous statement)
Sequentially
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| Examples: | |||
| His boss insists that all his staff be respectably married.
She was rather respectably dressed for the occasion. He played respectably this season, but he was not quite the elite quarterback we envisioned. In spite of little preparation, he performed respectably well. He performed his job respectably. |
The butler bowed respectfully to them both.
I must respectfully disagree with your claim. I respectfully declined their invitation. She listened respectfully to his advice. |
They received sentences of one year and eight months respectively.
One of them got a one-year sentence and the other got an eight-month sentence. John and Hal finished first and second, respectively. John finished first and Hal finished second. Peter, James, and John were first, second, and third, respectively. Peter came in first, then James came in second, and John was third. My mom and brother love pickles and potato chips, respectively. My mom loves pickles; my brother loves potato chips. |
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| Derivatives: | |||
| Adjective: respectable, respected, respectful, respective Noun: respect, respectability, respecter, respectfullness Preposition: respecting Verb: respect |
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| History of the Word: | |||
| Late Middle English from the Latin respectus, from the verb respicere meaning look back at, regard, from re- (back) + specere (look at). | |||
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
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Resources for Respectably vs Respectfully vs Respectively
Apple Dictionary.com
The Free Dictionary: respectfully
Gunner, Jennifer. “Respectively vs. Respectfully: Different meanings revealed.” YourDictionary. <https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/vs/respectively-vs-respectfully-different-meanings-revealed>.
“Respectively vs. Respectfully: Respect the differences between this pair.” Merriam-Webster. n.d. Web. 20 Feb 2023. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/respectively-vs-respectfully>.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Highest Life in London, 1822, is a painting by Robert Cruikshank, which was then engraved by George Cruikshank and is in the public domain courtesy of the New York Public Library.
Revised as of 17 Apr 2024
By: Kathy Davie