respond to

USAGE SUMMARY

"respond to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has provided some sort of response to something. For example: "The student was asked to respond to the teacher's question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Depressions respond to psychotherapy.

The New York Times

Many respond to fear.

The New York Times - Magazine

People respond to people.

Independent

They respond to adversity".

The New Yorker

People respond to that.

The New York Times

We respond to events.

The New Yorker

People respond to dialogue.

The New York Times

"I didn't respond to him.

Independent

I personally respond to threats.

The Economist

They also respond to competition.

The Economist

They respond to that fantastically.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "respond to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being responded to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "respond to" without clearly specifying what you are responding to. Vague usage can confuse readers. Instead of saying "He didn't respond", specify "He didn't "respond to" the email".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respond to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a reaction or answer to something. Ludwig shows that it is used to express how someone or something reacts to an event, a question, or a stimulus. It implies an action taken in response to a prior event or communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "respond to" is a very common verb phrase used to describe reacting or answering something, as validated by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and applicable in a wide range of contexts. While versatile, clear communication requires specifying what exactly is being responded to. Alternatives like "reply to" or "react to" can offer more specific nuances. Ensuring clarity in your writing by providing explicit context when using "respond to" will improve understanding. It is important to note that according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply to

Focuses specifically on answering or reacting verbally or in writing.

react to

Emphasizes the action taken as a direct result of a stimulus.

answer to

Implies providing a solution or explanation when something occurrs.

acknowledge

Highlights the recognition and understanding of something.

address

Suggests dealing with or tackling a specific issue or problem.

attend to

Implies giving attention to a need or requirement.

take into account

Highlights the careful consideration of a situation or factor.

deal with

Suggests managing or handling a situation or issue.

handle

Indicates how something is managed or treated.

cope with

Emphasizes the ability to manage or overcome something challenging.

FAQs

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

Use "respond to" to indicate a reaction or answer to something. For example, "The company had to "respond to" the negative publicity" or "How did the audience "respond to" the new policy"?

What are some alternatives to "respond to"?

You can use alternatives like "reply to", "react to", or "answer to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "respond to" or "reply to" in an email?

Both "respond to" and "reply to" are acceptable in the context of an email. "Reply to" typically indicates a direct answer, while "respond to" can encompass a broader range of reactions or actions taken.

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

"Respond to" generally implies a more thoughtful or deliberate reaction, while "react to" suggests a more immediate or instinctive response. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.