are responded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are responded" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "responded" is a past participle and should be used with an auxiliary verb. Example: "The questions are responded to by the team in a timely manner."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All written complaints are responded to within 60 days.

The New York Times - Travel

"All emails are responded to within 24 hours.

The Guardian

Approximately 30,000 calls are responded to yearly by the combined ambulance services.

Prehospital Emergency Care

Remarkably, the tiny structural changes are responded by partly strong modulation of the thermodynamic profiles.

Journal of Molecular Biology

(Calls given a 1 to 3 — cardiac arrest, gun shots — are responded to by paramedics).

The New York Times

That is, being such that your needs are responded to seems to be a way of promoting stability and trust.

Yale University

Infants who are responded to and soothed become very good at soothing themselves and putting themselves back to sleep.

Harvard University

While final rise formulations are used to solicit elaborate confirmations, rise fall confirmations are responded to with mere confirmation.

Journal of Pragmatics

These low-frequency (5 24 hertz) calls are responded to by other elephants up to 4 km (2.5 miles) away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The NHS sets a target that 75% of life-threatening calls are responded to within eight minutes.

The Guardian

We call on future research to explore how particular affordances sustain particular communicative conditions and, in turn, are responded to differently by children.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the verb "respond" is used with the correct auxiliary verbs and prepositions to form grammatically sound sentences. Prefer the passive form "are responded to" or active forms like "answer" or "reply".

Common error

Avoid using "are responded" without the preposition "to". The correct passive construction is "are responded to". Consider active voice alternatives for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are responded" functions as part of a passive construction, aiming to describe an action being done to a subject. However, it is grammatically incomplete. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form usually requires the preposition "to" (i.e., "are responded to").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "are responded" appears frequently across various sources, it's grammatically incorrect and should be used with caution. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical issue, noting the need for the preposition "to" in most contexts (i.e., "are responded to"). Consider using alternatives such as "are answered" or active voice constructions for improved clarity and correctness. Despite its frequent use in science, news, and academic contexts, always prioritize grammatical accuracy in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are answered

This uses a more standard verb with a similar meaning.

are replied to

This is a more formal and grammatically correct way to express the original intent.

are addressed

This suggests that the items are dealt with or handled.

receive a response

This alternative focuses on receiving a reaction, changing the sentence structure.

are reacted to

Replaces 'responded' with 'reacted', focusing on a reaction.

are dealt with

Indicates handling or managing something, altering the original meaning slightly.

are taken care of

Suggests a level of attention or management, shifting the emphasis.

are managed

This implies overseeing or controlling a situation.

elicit a response

Focuses on causing or drawing out a response rather than being responded to.

are acknowledged

This suggests that items are recognized or noticed.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "responded" in a passive sentence?

In a passive sentence, "responded" should be used with the preposition "to", such as "are responded to". For example, "All emails are responded to within 24 hours" is incorrect. The correct sentence is "All emails are responded to within 24 hours".

What's a simple substitute for "are responded to"?

A simple substitute for "are responded to" is "are answered". This eliminates the need for the preposition and simplifies the sentence.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when "respond" is involved?

Using the active voice often makes sentences clearer and more direct. Instead of "The questions are responded to by the team", you can say "The team answers the questions".

What are some alternatives to "are responded to" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "are addressed", "are handled", or "receive a response" to maintain a professional tone while ensuring grammatical accuracy.