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Respectively for Dummies

adverb

pronunciation: rɪ'spɛktɪvli

What does Respectively really mean?

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Respectively is a word that people use when they want to show the order or sequence in which things or people are mentioned. It helps us understand how things relate to each other in a list or a series. Let me give you an example to help you understand it better.

Imagine you and your best friend both got an ice cream. Your friend got a chocolate ice cream, and you got a vanilla one. Now, if I say, "You and your friend ate your ice creams and had fun, respectively," what does it mean? Well, it means that you ate your vanilla ice cream, and your friend ate their chocolate ice cream, in the same order that I mentioned your names. In other words, you ate the vanilla ice cream and your friend ate the chocolate ice cream, in the order that your names were mentioned.

Now, let's say we have another example to make it even clearer. Imagine we have a race with three participants: Sam, Lisa, and Tom. Sam finished first, Lisa finished second, and Tom finished third. Now, if I say, "Sam, Lisa, and Tom crossed the finish line first, second, and third, respectively," what does it mean? It simply means that Sam crossed the finish line first, Lisa crossed the line second, and Tom crossed the line third, in the same order as I mentioned their names.

So, in summary, respectively is a word we use to show the order or sequence in which things or people are mentioned. It helps us understand how things relate to each other in a list or a series. It's like putting things in order, making sure we know who or what comes first, second, third, and so on.

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Garcia on 2023-10-29 16:25:49

Respectively In a sentece

Learn how to use Respectively inside a sentece

  • Mark and Sarah placed first and second, respectively, in the race.
  • In chemistry class, we had to identify three unknown substances, labeled A, B, and C, respectively.
  • John and Lisa have been married for five and three years, respectively.
  • Bob and Alice scored 80% and 90%, respectively, on the math test.
  • I have a black cat and a white dog as pets, respectively.

Respectively Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Respectively Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant