as they responded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they responded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the manner or way in which individuals replied to a question or situation. Example: "The audience was engaged, as they responded with enthusiasm to the speaker's questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Interviews with the general public in which respondents were encouraged to verbalise their cognitions as they responded to each item were used to establish that the questions were interpreted as intended.

British Journal of Cancer

In court, the men appeared somber as they responded to questions posed by Judge Castel.

The New York Times

The Indonesians were not bystanders in the affair either as they responded to the Koreans by trying to lose themselves.

Independent

Rescue teams on Sunday described the shocking scenes that confronted them as they responded to the shipwrecks.

The Guardian

Old-timers remember James Brown's limo parked outside, and people breaking into a happy strut as they responded to the music tumbling onto the street.

The New York Times - Arts

They monitored slight wobbles of the host stars as they responded to the gravitational pull exerted by planetary objects near them.

The New York Times

A27 Shooting at Memphis Fire Two firefighters and a sheriff's deputy were shot to death in an ambush as they responded to a house fire, the police said.

The New York Times

Indeed, both agencies got big budget increases after Sept. 11 -- Congressional decisions that confirmed the agencies' clout even as they responded to the public's yearning for safety.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mayors, governors and local officials do this all the time as they respond practically to circumstances.

The New York Times

A lot of voters will feel renewed anger as they respond with those famous clichés, "They're all the same".

Independent

They want their news unsullied by commercial motive, even as they respond to the ads that surround and subsidize it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as they responded", ensure the context clearly establishes who "they" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as they responded" without clearly establishing the prior action or question to which they are reacting. This can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they responded" functions as an adverbial clause of time or manner, modifying the main clause by indicating when or how an action occurred. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

32%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they responded" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe the timing or manner of a response. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and science, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to and the specific situation or question to which they are reacting. By considering alternatives such as "after their reply" or "in response to their actions", writers can refine their expression to suit the specific nuance they wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how they answered

Focuses on the manner in which they provided their answer.

after their reply

Simply indicates a sequence following their reply.

reacting to what they said

Focuses on the act of reacting and the content of their speech.

in response to their actions

Focuses on the actions that prompted the response.

as a reaction to their statement

Directly identifies the statement that prompted the reaction.

following their reaction

Emphasizes the sequence of events after their reaction.

subsequent to their answer

Highlights that something happened after their answer was given.

responding to the situation

Emphasizes the situation to which they are responding.

in direct response

Highlights the immediacy and directness of the response.

upon their answering

Formal and emphasizes the moment of answering.

FAQs

How can I use "as they responded" in a sentence?

Use "as they responded" to describe the manner or timing of a response to a specific situation or question. For example, "As they responded to the accusations, their body language revealed their discomfort."

What are some alternatives to "as they responded"?

Alternatives include "after their reply", "in response to their actions", or "following their reaction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "as they responded" or "after they responded"?

"As they responded" and "after they responded" have similar levels of formality. The choice depends on the specific context and the flow of the sentence. However, "as they responded" often implies a direct or immediate reaction.

What's the difference between "as they responded" and "how they answered"?

"As they responded" focuses on the act of responding in a broader context, while "how they answered" emphasizes the manner or method of their response. The former can include non-verbal cues, while the latter typically refers to the verbal content.