respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'respond' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use 'respond' whenever you want to describe an action of answering a question, responding to a statement, or providing an action in response to a situation. Example: She quickly responded to the question with a thoughtful answer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

The New York Times

We will act differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

The Guardian

A spokesman for Mercedes did not respond to a request for comment.

The New York Times

She didn't respond.

The New York Times

The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New York Times

We take any complaint seriously and will aim to investigate and respond as quickly as possible and in any event within 28 days.

The Guardian

If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When asked to respond to Simon Cowell's recent comment that Clarkson "started to fight against what made her successful … one minute she wants to make pop records, and then she doesn't," she laughs loudly again, but there's a distinct flash of anger as she says: "Everyone's aware that My Life Would Suck Without You and Already Gone were huge pop hits, right?

The Guardian - Music

The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond.

The Guardian

One of the first people to respond later released a statement on Facebook calling the project "digital rape" because he hadn't known the conversation would be broadcast.

The Guardian - Arts

The Farc negotiators in Havana did not respond to requests for comment on Monday on the suspension of the talks and the general's abduction but announced they would make a statement on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "respond", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are responding to, whether it's a question, a statement, or a situation. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not use "respond" without clearly specifying what is being responded to. Saying "He responded" is less effective than "He responded to the allegations with a denial."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "respond" is as a verb, indicating an action of answering or reacting. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its role in expressing a communicative or reactive action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respond" is a versatile verb widely used to describe answering, reacting, or replying. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "reply" and "answer" exist, "respond" often suggests a more thoughtful or comprehensive reaction. To use "respond" effectively, always ensure the context makes clear to what you are responding. With a neutral register, "respond" fits seamlessly into formal and informal communication, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply

A more direct and concise term for answering a question or statement.

answer

Indicates providing a solution or information in return.

react

Focuses on the action taken as a result of a stimulus.

acknowledge

Implies recognizing and addressing something, not necessarily providing a full answer.

communicate

A broader term referring to any exchange of information.

get back to

Indicates a promise to answer or address something at a later time.

counter

Suggests replying with an opposing argument or action.

retort

Implies a quick, often witty or sharp reply.

address

Suggests dealing with or focusing on a specific issue or question.

interact

A general term indicating any kind of reciprocal action or communication.

FAQs

How can I use "respond" in a sentence?

You can use "respond" to describe answering a question, reacting to a situation, or replying to a statement. For example, "She quickly "responded to" the email with a detailed explanation".

What are some alternatives to "respond"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reply", "answer", or "react".

Is it better to use "respond" or "reply"?

Both "respond" and "reply" are correct, but "reply" is often used for simple answers, while "respond" can imply a more considered reaction.

What's the difference between "respond" and "react"?

"Respond" typically implies a conscious and deliberate action, while "react" can suggest a more instinctive or immediate action.