responsive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "responsive to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that one person or thing is responding to or is affected by another. For example: The students were responsive to the professor's lectures.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Should governments be more responsive to their citizens?

The Guardian

Very responsive to treatment.

The New Yorker

Presumably, these setae are responsive to touch.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I try to be responsive to that".

The New York Times

"Responsive to every turn", declares another poster.

The Economist

8. Be responsive to feelings and values.

The New York Times

Be more responsive to complaints..

The New York Times - Travel

But I'm being very responsive to them.

The New York Times

"They're very responsive to human needs.

The New York Times

"Chief Parks has been responsive to me.

The New York Times

Adiponectin makes cells more responsive to insulin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "responsive to", ensure the subject's reaction or adaptation is clearly linked to the stimulus or influence. For example, "The market is highly responsive to changes in consumer demand."

Common error

Avoid substituting "to" with other prepositions like "for" or "with" after "responsive". "Responsive to" is the standard and grammatically correct form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "responsive to" functions as a predicate adjective describing a noun's characteristic of reacting or adapting to something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples include "cells more responsive to insulin" and "governmental system responsive to public opinion."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "responsive to" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to describe an entity's ability to react, adapt, or comply with something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicate adjective and is suitable for various contexts. It appears most frequently in news media and scientific publications, showing a neutral formality level. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing treatments, systems, and individuals adapting to different influences. When using "responsive to", ensure the reaction is clearly linked to its stimulus. Related phrases include "sensitive to", "receptive to", and "amenable to", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive to

Indicates a high degree of awareness and reaction to external stimuli, similar to being responsive but emphasizes perception.

receptive to

Suggests an openness and willingness to accept or consider new ideas or information, focusing on acceptance rather than reaction.

amenable to

Implies a readiness to comply or agree, highlighting willingness to be influenced.

susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability or proneness to being affected, often negatively, by something.

reactive to

Emphasizes a quick or immediate response to a stimulus, focusing on the speed of reaction.

attuned to

Suggests a state of being in harmony or close understanding with something, implying a natural responsiveness.

adapted to

Indicates a change to suit new conditions, focusing on the result of being responsive over time.

liable to

Suggests a high probability of experiencing something, often undesirable, due to certain conditions.

answerable to

Indicates accountability and the obligation to respond or justify actions to someone.

subject to

Indicates that something is conditional upon or affected by something else, suggesting a dependency in the response.

FAQs

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

Use "responsive to" to describe something that reacts or adapts to something else. For example, "The plant is "responsive to" sunlight."

What does it mean to be "responsive to" someone?

Being "responsive to" someone means being attentive and reactive to their needs, requests, or emotions. It implies understanding and a willingness to help or support. For example, "The customer service representative was "responsive to" the customer's concerns."

What is a synonym for "responsive to"?

Synonyms for "responsive to" include "sensitive to", "receptive to", and "amenable to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "responsive for" instead of "responsive to"?

No, the correct phrase is "responsive to". Using "responsive for" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "to" to indicate the object of the response.