respondent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'respondent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who responds to questions or statements, such as a participant in a survey or a party in a legal dispute. For example, "The respondent in the case disagreed with the plaintiff's claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a proposed proposition was unconnected with any of the preceding propositions, the respondent would respond with agreement, rejection or doubt depending on what he understood the actual state of affairs in the world to be.

SEP

The academic research, carried out by Leeds University and funded by the Wellcome Trust, also reveals the pressures that lead people to enter the sex industry, with one respondent saying she could not keep up her mortgage repayments while earning £50 a day as an NHS care assistant.

The Guardian

One respondent said: "He plays politics – it's not like he actually cares about the people" and some lamented his background working for a private healthcare company in the US; one commenter said, "His solutions to challenges are inevitably market-based solutions".

The Guardian

"Only if we were really satisfied that by returning them to the respondent state they would be dealt with would we really espouse such a system".

The Guardian

All of which left one anonymous respondent to quip: "If you're being criticised from both sides, you've probably found the centre ground".

The Guardian

"I don't think he understands any issues relating to normal (not super-rich) people, let alone women," said one respondent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've had a stalker for almost the entire time I've been working," said one respondent.

The Guardian

Another respondent added: "I think he is hiding in the shadows and needs to be seen and heard more in the media... .....

The Guardian

Not at the margin of error, not a fraction of 1% – not a single respondent listed the former Maryland governor as their first choice.

The Guardian

Each respondent was asked to make one suggestion to the government.

The Economist

In Schuette, an attorney for the respondent, Shanta Driver, asked the court to strike down the Michigan amendment based on these precedents:I think Hunter-Seattle provides the line.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing survey reports, be clear and consistent in how you refer to participants (e.g., always use "respondent" instead of switching between "participant" and "respondent").

Common error

While "respondent" can refer to a party in a legal case, it's not always interchangeable with "defendant". "Respondent" specifically answers an appeal, while "defendant" is the party being sued or accused in the original case. Use the correct term to avoid legal inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "respondent" is as a noun, referring to a person who responds or answers. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used in contexts where individuals provide information, such as in surveys or legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "respondent" functions primarily as a noun, denoting someone who answers or replies, especially in surveys or legal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. It is most commonly encountered in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While "respondent" can refer to a party in a legal case, it is important to distinguish it from "defendant", as the former specifically refers to the party answering an appeal. Alternatives include "survey participant" or "interviewee", depending on the situation. When using "respondent", ensure it accurately reflects the role of the individual in the context of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

survey participant

Focuses specifically on someone participating in a survey.

person interviewed

Highlights the act of being interviewed.

interviewee

Specifically refers to someone being interviewed.

defendant

Specifically refers to the party answering the charges in a legal case.

answerer

A general term for someone who provides an answer.

responder

A broader term for someone who responds to any stimulus.

test subject

Refers to someone participating in a test or experiment.

examinee

Refers to someone being examined.

claimant

Refers to someone who makes a claim, especially in law.

appellant

The party who appeals a decision to a higher court.

FAQs

What is the definition of "respondent"?

A "respondent" is a person who answers questions, provides information, or responds to a survey, questionnaire, or legal action. In law, a "respondent" is the party who answers for the defendant in a case before a court.

How is "respondent" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "respondent" refers to the party who responds to an appeal. This is distinct from the original "defendant", who was the subject of the initial lawsuit.

What are some alternatives to "respondent" in surveys?

Alternatives to "respondent" in surveys include "survey participant", "participant", or "answerer". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "respondent" in a sentence?

Here's an example of "respondent" in a sentence: "Each "respondent" was asked to complete a questionnaire about their job satisfaction."