respond that

USAGE SUMMARY

"respond that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to report the response that someone gave to something. For example: He asked if I wanted to come to the party, and I responded that I was busy that night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I didn't respond that much to it.

The Guardian - Film

I wasn't there.' He didn't respond that way.

The New York Times

O.K., a committed Austerian might respond, that doesn't sound very good.

The New Yorker

Russia could well respond that way, and China's reaction is equally unpredictable.

The Guardian - Opinion

After Mr. Duncan said he would respond that way to every question, Mr. Greenwood released him.

The New York Times

But whether employers and governments respond that way cannot be guaranteed, particularly in a difficult economy.

The New York Times

I don't think there are very many people who would respond that way".

The New York Times

They simply respond, that is, they use symbols without what Mead refers to as "significance".

SEP

and the parent might respond, that is a zebra.

Wikipedia

"Does this mean we'll respond that way every time?

Los Angeles Times

People often respond that way to something they haven't experienced before.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "reply that" or "answer that" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Ensure the tense of "respond" matches the context of the reported speech. For instance, use "responded that" for past events and "responds that" for current practices or general statements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "respond that" is to report a direct response or answer to a question, statement, or situation. It acts as a reporting verb introducing a clause that conveys the content of the response. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respond that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting a direct answer or reaction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, scientific writing, and general communication. When using "respond that", ensure the tense is consistent with the context and consider using synonyms like "reply that" or "answer that" to enhance clarity and avoid repetition. Pay attention to the nuance of each alternative to select the most appropriate word, such as preferring "maintain that" to convey continued assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply that

Emphasizes a direct answer or rejoinder.

answer that

Focuses on providing a solution or information in response.

state that

Highlights a formal declaration or affirmation.

affirm that

Implies a confirmation or validation of something.

maintain that

Suggests a continued assertion or defense of a position.

argue that

Indicates the presentation of reasons or evidence to support a claim.

assert that

Emphasizes a confident and forceful declaration.

point out that

Focuses on drawing attention to a specific detail or fact.

note that

Highlights an observation or acknowledgement.

remark that

Implies a casual or brief comment.

FAQs

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

You can use "respond that" to report someone's answer or reaction to a question or statement. For example, "When asked about the allegations, the CEO "responded that" they were completely false."

What are some alternatives to "respond that"?

Alternatives to "respond that" include "reply that", "answer that", or "state that", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to use "respond that" or "replied that"?

Both "respond that" and "replied that" are correct, but "replied that" is generally used for past actions. "Respond that" can be used in both present and past contexts, offering slightly more flexibility.

What's the difference between "respond that" and "say that"?

"Respond that" implies a direct reaction to something, while "say that" is a more general term for expressing something verbally. Use "respond that" when you want to emphasize the reactive nature of the statement.