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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a response was given
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a response was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone has provided an answer or reply to a question or situation. Example: "After the meeting, a response was given to all the concerns raised by the team."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Formal & Business
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
32 human-written examples
Following another 50 ms blank screen the target stimulus (a B, P, or R) appeared onscreen for 100 ms followed by masking stimuli (an H for 50 ms and an 8 which remained onscreen until a response was given).
Whether a response was given or not (omission) was not relevant for the classification; instead, we sought to determine how engaged the test-taker was as reflected by the time spent on the item.
These allegations were brought to the attention of the Ethics Education Committee of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) in 2007, and a response was given in 2008.
Wiki
They remained on the screen until a response was given.
Science
The bar stayed on screen until a response was given.
Science
The prompts remained on screen for 1500 ms each, or until a response was given.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
28 human-written examples
A response is given to 'Discussion: "Streamlined erosional residuals and drumlins in central British Columbia, Canada"'.
Science
For each question, a response is given on a scale of 1 to 5, according to the user's degree of satisfaction.
A 'yes' response for positive questions was given a score of one and a 'no' response was given a zero.
Science
Z-scores beyond +/- 1.96 were marked on observation with a symbol * to designate that an unexpected response was given to a specified item (p <.05).
A symptom was scored as 'present' if a positive response was given to one or more question in the cluster.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "a response was given", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the response and to what it was a response. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid overusing the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound vague. Instead of "a response was given", consider using the active voice: "the team responded" or "the manager gave a response".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a response was given" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an answer or reaction was provided. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, emphasizing the action of responding rather than the actor.
Frequent in
Science
60%
Formal & Business
20%
News & Media
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a response was given" is a grammatically correct phrase primarily used in scientific, formal, and neutral contexts to indicate that an answer or reaction was provided. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a usable phrase in written English. While correct, it's important to consider alternatives using the active voice for more direct and engaging writing. Common errors include overuse of the passive voice, which can be mitigated by opting for active constructions where appropriate, such as "the team responded". This will result in a much more direct phrase.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
an answer was provided
Replaces "response" with "answer" and "given" with "provided", offering a more direct and slightly less formal alternative.
a reply was issued
Substitutes "response" with "reply" and "given" with "issued", suggesting a more official or formal communication.
an answer was returned
Replaces "response" with "answer" and "given" with "returned", implying a back-and-forth exchange.
a feedback was offered
Replaces "response" with "feedback" and "given" with "offered", focusing on evaluative or constructive input.
a reaction was expressed
Replaces "response" with "reaction" and "given" with "expressed", highlighting an emotional or behavioral reaction.
a statement was released
Replaces "response" with "statement" and "given" with "released", indicating a formal announcement or declaration.
an acknowledgement was made
Substitutes "response" with "acknowledgement" and "given" with "made", emphasizing recognition or acceptance.
a communication was sent
Replaces "response" with "communication" and "given" with "sent", focusing on the act of conveying information.
the question was answered
Shifts the focus to the question itself being answered, rather than a response being given.
an indication was provided
Replaces "response" with "indication" and "given" with "provided", suggesting a subtle or indirect reply.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "a response was given" to sound more active?
To make the sentence more active, try using phrases like "someone responded", "they answered", or "the team provided feedback". These alternatives emphasize the actor providing the response.
Is "a response was given" formal or informal?
The phrase "a response was given" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal contexts, you might use something like "they replied" or "someone got back to us."
What's the difference between "a response was given" and "a response was received"?
"A response was given" focuses on the action of providing an answer, while "a response was received" focuses on the action of getting an answer. The former emphasizes the sender, the latter the receiver.
When is it best to use the passive voice construction "a response was given"?
Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself rather than who performed it. For instance, "A decision was made" focuses on the decision, not who made it.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested