- Have you ever felt that “liking” someone doesn’t quite capture the level of respect you have for them?
- Do you struggle to choose the right preposition—is it admiration “for,” “to,” or “of” someone?
- Would you like to know which adjectives make your praise sound more professional and natural in a business setting?
Mastering admiration collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of relying on simple vocabulary, using the right word combinations allows you to express nuanced emotions and professional respect accurately. This guide will help you move past literal translations and start using “admiration” like a native speaker.
Essential Collocations using Admiration as a Noun
In modern English, “admiration” is exclusively a noun. While the related verb is “to admire,” the noun form carries specific patterns that dictate how we describe the intensity, the source, and the direction of this feeling.
Adjectives used with Admiration
These adjectives help you define the “size” or type of admiration you are expressing. In English, we rarely use “big” or “large” with feelings; instead, we use “deep” or “great.”
- Deep / Profound admiration: Used for very strong, sincere feelings. Example: I have deep admiration for her commitment to human rights.
- Mutual admiration: When two people admire each other equally. Example: The two scientists shared a bond of mutual admiration.
- Grudging admiration: When you admire someone even though you might not like them or you find it hard to admit. Example: Even his rivals held a grudging admiration for his tactical genius.
- Widespread admiration: When many people feel the same way. Example: Her latest novel has won widespread admiration from critics.
- Sincere / Genuine admiration: To emphasize that the feeling is honest. Example: He spoke with sincere admiration for his mentor.
Verbs used with Admiration
These verbs describe the action of having, showing, or earning respect from others.
- Express / Show admiration: To communicate your feelings to someone. Example: The CEO expressed his admiration for the team’s hard work.
- Win / Earn / Command admiration: When your actions make others respect you. Example: Her bravery in the face of danger commanded the admiration of the whole nation.
- Feel admiration: The internal state of being impressed. Example: It is impossible not to feel admiration for their resilience.
- Be full of admiration: To be completely impressed by someone. Example: I am full of admiration for the way you handled that difficult client.
Prepositional Patterns with Admiration
Using the wrong preposition is the most common error for ESL learners. Pay close attention to these three structures.
- Admiration FOR [someone/something]: The most common way to link the feeling to the object. Example: My admiration for her work grows every day.
- IN admiration [of someone/something]: Used to describe a state of being. Example: We stood in admiration of the beautiful architecture.
- WITH admiration: Describing how an action is performed. Example: She looked at the masterpiece with admiration.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deep admiration | Adjective + Noun | Very strong, intense respect. |
| Command admiration | Verb + Noun | To deserve or force respect through excellence. |
| Admiration for | Noun + Preposition | The standard way to direct respect to a person. |
| Grudging admiration | Adjective + Noun | Respecting someone despite personal dislike. |
| Express admiration | Verb + Noun | To tell or show someone you respect them. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I have a big admiration to him. | I have great admiration for him. |
| She gave me her admiration. | She expressed her admiration for me. |
| I am in admiration of your dress. | I admire your dress (or) I’m full of admiration for your style. |
| He won a large admiration. | He won widespread admiration. |
“When I first met Sarah, I felt a deep admiration for her work ethic. She consistently commands admiration from her colleagues because of her integrity. Although we were once competitors, I have a grudging admiration for her ability to close difficult deals. Last week, our manager expressed sincere admiration for our joint project, noting that there is clearly a sense of mutual admiration between us.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Admiration Collocations
Is “admiration” countable or uncountable?
In most contexts, “admiration” is uncountable. You generally say “I have much admiration” or “a lot of admiration,” rather than “admirations.” However, in very formal or literary contexts, you might occasionally see it used to describe specific instances of being admired, but for 2024 English, treat it as uncountable.
What is the difference between “admiration for” and “admiration of”?
We typically use “admiration for” when we are the ones feeling the respect (e.g., “My admiration for the teacher”). We use “in admiration of” when describing our reaction to something (e.g., “I stared in admiration of the view”). “Admiration of” is also used when the person is the receiver of everyone’s respect (e.g., “The admiration of the public”).
Can I use “big admiration”?
While a native speaker would understand you, “big” is considered a weak collocation. To sound more natural and sophisticated, use “great,” “deep,” “profound,” or “considerable.”
What does “grudging admiration” mean exactly?
This is a common “Applied Linguistics” nuance. It means you respect someone’s skill or quality, but you do so “grudgingly”—meaning you are reluctant or unhappy about it. For example, you might have grudging admiration for a sports rival who always wins, even if you don’t like their personality.
How do I use admiration in a professional email?
It is best used with the verbs “express” or “have.” For example: “I would like to express my admiration for the way you handled the recent merger” or “I have a great deal of admiration for your leadership style.”
Can we say 'full of admiration'? Like, 'She was full of admiration for her mentor'?
Yes, Amelie! 'Full of admiration' is a very common and natural way to describe someone's state of mind. It's a great phrase to use in storytelling or descriptive writing.
I'm a teacher in Sweden and I will definitely share this list with my advanced students. The distinction between 'big' and 'deep' is a classic mistake.
What about 'boundless admiration'? I saw this in a speech.
Is it okay to use 'admiration' for objects? Like 'I have admiration for this car'?
Usually, we reserve 'admiration' for people, qualities, or achievements. For a car, it's more natural to say 'I admire the design of this car' or 'I am a fan of this car.'
This post is perfect for my IELTS preparation. Collocations are so important for the writing section!
Absolutely, Aisha! Using 'profound admiration' instead of just 'I like' will definitely help you score higher on 'Lexical Resource' in the IELTS. Keep practicing!
I've seen 'glowing admiration' used in a book review. Does that mean the person is very happy?
Can I say 'I have admiration to him'? I keep getting confused with prepositions.
Actually, Sofia, 'admiration to' is incorrect. You always have admiration 'for' someone. However, you can 'express your admiration TO' someone. The preposition depends on the verb!
Is 'great admiration' stronger than 'high admiration'?
They are very similar, Hans! However, 'high' often collocates with the verb 'hold' (to hold someone in high admiration), while 'great' is more versatile with 'have' (I have great admiration for you).
I love the example of 'mutual admiration.' It reminds me of a Chinese idiom. It's great to see how English structures these feelings.
In Italy, we often use the word 'stima' which is like a mix of respect and admiration. Is 'professional admiration' a good translation for that?