Understanding of "praise" and "admiration"?

Question

Does "praise" mean either you think sth is good or you respect it?Does "admiration" mean that you only respect sth?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

The difference between the two does not reside in the nature of your feeling toward the object of admiration / praise. It's related to what you do about it.

To praise something is to express/say very positive things about it. You don't actually have to believe what you're saying.

To admire something is to truly have very positive thoughts about it. You don't actually have to express them to anyone.

I don't believe the difference between respecting something and thinking it's good really enters into it.

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

Trunks · Answer

But then again,

Praise v. - to express approval or admiration for sb/sth. (All meanings from Advanced Oxford Dictionary meaning)

Plus, admire means "to regard sb/sth with respect, pleasure or approval".

And, finally to respect means "to have a high opinion of sb/sth because of sth".

So that's why i figured that "admire" means mostly "to respect sth"? Can u clarify please if this is right or wrong?

And you are right about the "approval" part for both the meanings. So i guess "praise" means to approve (express/say very positive thing about it) as well as admire (to respect it).

Avangi · Answer

I stand by my previous post. I don't find anything in your Oxford quotes which challenges what I said.

"to express approval etc." It doesn't say you have to believe it.

"to have a high opinion etc." It'doesn't say you have to express it.

Your Oxford gives equal billing to respect, pleasure, and approval. Therefore it's WRONG to say "mostly to respect sth"

If "praise" includes admiration and "admire" includes respect, then "praise" and "admire" seem equally oriented toward respect. (Gimme a break!

)

I still hold to my original opinion. Both refer to the same virtues. The difference lies in what you do about it.
You can praise without believing it. You can admire without reporting it.

Trunks · Answer

I just noticed in the latest Oxford Dictionary that:

Admire means "to respect sb for what they are or for what they have done"

So which meaning should i use?

Btw, i never said "praise" and "admire" seem equally oriented toward respect. I jus mentioned that praise includes both "admiration" and "approval"....while "admire" included all "respect, pleasure or approval". And even though i'm pitiably weak in English, i don't think it still gives you the right to make fun of me. If this seems funny to you, then please don't bother to answer my questions...i won't mind.

And i never had the intent of challenging your answer in the first place, i jus wanted to make sure everything is clarified to me. Anywayz thank you for helping.

Avangi · Answer

I find many things funny, for which I thank ***. I don't think I could survive otherwise.

I can't find any new information in what you're telling me.

According to your research, both verbs (to praise; to admire) deal with the same three attitudes toward somebody/something: respect; admiration; approval.

Btw, i never said "praise" and "admire" seem equally oriented toward respect. I jus mentioned that praise includes both "admiration" and "approval"....while "admire" included all "respect, pleasure or approval".

I never intended to accuse you of saying it. I am the one who said it. My claim is that it follows naturally from your other statements.
If "to praise" is to express admiration, and "to admire" is to have respect, then "to praise" is to express respect. If A = B, and B = C, then A = C.
The only difference I see is that you mention "pleasure" in connection with "admire." I didn't carry that over into "praise," but I suppose one could.

We seem to be hung up on whether there's more respect in admiring or in praising. I don't know how you're going to put that question to rest.

But if I may beat a dead horse, the most significant difference between admiring and praising is not the list of qualities or emotions involved, but the actions one takes or doesn't take.

"To praise" is to express that somebody or something has these qualitities. (You don't even have to believe it.)

"To admire" is to take pleasure in your belief that somebody or something has these qualities. (You don't even have to tell anybody about it.)

I'm sorry you don't like my style. I occasionally get frustrated, as do many people. I'll try to keep it to myself.

Trunks · Answer

Well, what i actually wanted to say is that if I had written sth that seems or is funny (but it's my own written account), then it's okay of you to make fun of me a thousand times: it doesn't matter. And don't worry, in this forum I have plenty of people asking many stupid questions (although i'm not saying most of them), so it's natural to be frustrated i guess. However, if you make a hysterical statement out of sth which i originally didn't intent to make, then dat makes me feel bad. And i wud never say, I don't like your style. I don't think many people could actually survive without laughter. It's actually what makes us normal. It's just that i always feel guilty for having only a dearth of English knowledge. Anywayz thank you and do what you always do.

Btw, i found your theories correct:

To praise is to say that you approve or admire sth. We don't have to believe it.

To admire is to strongly like and respect someone or something. It's more of an inward feeling than an expression.

Avangi · Answer

Many thanks for your kind post, and for your "liberal" position.

So that's why i figured that "admire" means mostly "to respect sth"? Can u clarify please if this is right or wrong?

Your Oxford gives equal billing to respect, pleasure, and approval. Therefore it's WRONG to say "mostly to respect sth"

Was this my "hysterical statement"? Sorry about the bolds. I was never sure of what you meant by "mostly."
I think you said the same thing earlier in the thread.

Trunks · Answer

Well actually i'm not the one who's kind...it's you...because you guyz are helping us. Anywayz nevermind about that, the main thing is I got my answer...Thank you for that...

Anonymous · Answer

Last night there was an argument with my pastor when he said when something is verbally expressed it becomes praise and can no longer be called admiration.I want clarification if admiration is just a feeling or you can verbally admire sb/sth

Understanding of "praise" and "admiration"?

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