Preposition confusion

Another example is a sentence from an English program that I heard the other day,
the host said:
We need to show our compassion to others.
But don't we say: I feel compassion for him.

Has this questin been discussed?
I hope someone can give me some advice.

Thanks,
Jason

Why don't you write 'We should respect the elders.' instead.

Hi,

'Respecting' is not the same as 'showing respect'. I can respect someone without showing it.

Clive

Native speakers seem to use either preposition, with "to" PERHAPS being more popular. Native speakers would probably not use "the" as you did. They might say: We should show respect to elders; we should show respect to our elders; we should show respect to the elderly. (Cultural note: In the United States, try not to call older people "elderly." The current term is "senior citizens" or simply

Both sentences imply that the people who should be showing respect already have respect for the elders. This is in opposition to we should have respect for the elders, which implies that people do not have respect for the elders. Now, since your sentences already support the fact that people have repect for the elders, should you use for or to before the elders? If y

Very thought provoking. show respect to elders = when you meet them, be respectful. show respect for elders = an attitude that others can notice. Thank you for giving us something to think about.

Saying "we should show our respect for the elders" implies a display for others (not the elders) to see. So it means you want others to see that you respect the elders; whereas, saying "we should show our respect to the elders" implies that you want the elders to see that you respect them. The preposition changes the meaning of the phrase. As I try to gauge your meaning, I think you are loo

We should have respect for or to elders.