responded with a smile

USAGE SUMMARY

"responded with a smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the response of someone talking to another person, typically in a situation when the conversation has been positive. Example: "John asked Sarah how her day was going and she responded with a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Okaay!" she reportedly responded with a smile.

The Washington Post

Mr. Netanyahu responded with a smile.

The New York Times

"I'm fine," Law responded with a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

"How do they play?" Coughlin responded with a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

He always responded with a smile and a chirpy quip.

Independent

"A little warm, actually," he responded with a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

You respond with a smile, saying, "You make my point for me".

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's cheap," he responds with a smile – there is that disarming honesty again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Knicks were one of several teams to respond with a smile, if not a high-five, when Mike Dunleavy announced yesterday that he would skip his senior season at Duke to enter the National Basketball Association draft.

The New York Times - Sports

She's my poker coach," Burkle responds with a smile.

Forbes

I was just so surprised by the words since most people respond with a smile.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a response, consider the specific type of smile (e.g., 'responded with a wry smile' or 'responded with a genuine smile') to add nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "responded with a smile" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions of reactions by using synonyms or describing the emotion behind the smile to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "responded with a smile" typically functions as a verb phrase that describes how someone reacted to a particular statement or situation. It provides information about the manner of their response, indicating a positive or agreeable sentiment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "responded with a smile" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a positive reaction. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of agreement, politeness, or amusement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and wide applicability. When writing, it's advisable to vary your descriptions of reactions and to specify the type of smile to enhance the nuance of your writing. While the phrase is useful, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain engaging and diverse writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replied with a smile

Replaces "responded" with "replied", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

answered with a smile

Substitutes "responded" with "answered", another synonym that emphasizes the verbal aspect of the reaction.

reacted with a smile

Replaces "responded" with "reacted", shifting the focus to the overall reaction rather than just the verbal response.

grinned in response

Changes the structure to emphasize the smile itself as the primary action, using "grinned" instead of a general response.

smiled as a response

Rearranges the sentence to highlight the smile as the manner of responding.

gave a smiling reply

Alters the structure to focus on giving a reply that is characterized by a smile.

met the comment with a smile

Highlights the interaction, showing that a smile was used as a way to address a comment.

offered a smile in return

Indicates reciprocity, where a smile is offered as a response to something.

acknowledged with a smile

Focuses on acknowledgement, with the smile being the form of acknowledgement.

looked up and smiled

Describes the action of looking up followed by a smile. Describes more a sequence of actions instead of focusing on the response itself.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "responded with a smile"?

You can use alternatives such as "replied with a smile", "answered with a smile", or "reacted with a smile" depending on the context.

How can I use "responded with a smile" in a sentence?

This phrase is generally used to describe someone's positive reaction to a statement or situation. For example: "When asked about her promotion, she responded with a smile."

Is it grammatically correct to say "responded with a smile"?

Yes, the phrase "responded with a smile" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both written and spoken English.

What does it mean when someone "responded with a smile"?

It generally indicates a pleasant or agreeable reaction. The smile suggests happiness, agreement, or a positive attitude towards what was said or done.