respond by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respond by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to reply or take action by a specific time or in a particular manner. Example: "Please respond by the end of the day if you wish to participate in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The others respond by shaking their heads.

The New York Times - Arts

Let me respond by reviewing recent history.

The New York Times

The analysts respond by lowering their targets.

The New York Times

Rodriguez could respond by filing a grievance.

The New York Times - Sports

Shell is supposed to respond by Tuesday.

The New York Times

And people respond by leaking".

The Guardian - Tech

But the Justice Department must respond by March 11.

The New York Times

"You respond by accusing him of perjury".

The Guardian

Mr. McCain could yet respond by supplementing his economic agenda.

The New York Times

Democrats threatened to respond by virtually stopping Senate business.

The New York Times

"You respond by growing with it, not by cutting service".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "respond by" in professional communication, clearly state the specific date and time to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Please respond by 5 PM on Friday."

Common error

Avoid using vague terms like "respond by soon" or "respond by end of day" without specifying the exact time. This can lead to misinterpretations and missed deadlines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respond by" functions primarily as a directive, setting a time limit for a reply or action. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from legal deadlines to general requests for information. It prompts a recipient to provide a response within a specified timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respond by" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to set a deadline for a reply or action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and business. It is generally considered neutral to professional in register, making it suitable for a wide range of communications. While "respond by" is generally a clear and direct way to ask for a response, remember to provide specific date/time to make the deadline clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply by

Replaces "respond" with a more direct synonym, maintaining the emphasis on answering.

answer by

Similar to 'reply by', focusing on providing an answer within a given constraint.

reply before

Rephrases the deadline using 'before' instead of 'by'.

answer before

Similar to 'reply before', emphasizing the deadline for answering.

get back by

Informal alternative suggesting a return of communication by a deadline.

provide feedback by

More specific, asking for feedback rather than a general response.

submit by

Suggests a formal submission of something by a certain date.

communicate by

Wider scope focusing on the means of communication by a deadline.

be in touch by

Informal phrase suggesting contact or communication before a specific time.

contact before

Asks for someone to get in contact before a given date.

FAQs

How can I use "respond by" in a sentence?

You can use "respond by" to set a deadline for a reply or action. For example, "Please "respond by" Friday if you can attend the meeting."

What is a more formal alternative to "respond by"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "Please ensure a reply is submitted by" or "Kindly provide your response no later than". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same message.

What can I say instead of "respond by" when the deadline is flexible?

If the deadline is not strict, you can use phrases like "Please respond at your earliest convenience" or "Your response is appreciated when you have a moment". These options are less demanding while still requesting a reply.

Is it correct to say "respond before" instead of "respond by"?

While "respond before" is grammatically correct, ""respond by"" is generally preferred when setting a deadline. "Respond before" simply indicates a time constraint without the same level of expectation for a response at a specific time.