to respond to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to respond to' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use 'to respond to' when referring to an action taken in response to something else. For example: We are sending out a survey in order to respond to customer feedback.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We had to respond to that".

The New York Times

"We need to respond to that.

The New York Times

They refused to respond to my questions.

The New York Times

The FBI failed to respond to inquiries.

Independent

How to respond to the onslaught?

The New Yorker

People really seem to respond to those".

The New Yorker

They know how to respond to that.

Independent

You have to respond to that.

The New York Times

I have to respond to adversity".

The New York Times - Sports

Feel free to respond to others' questions.

The New York Times

NBC officials declined to respond to questions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to respond to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being responded to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the stimulus or question.

Common error

Avoid using "to respond to" without clearly indicating what is being addressed. For example, instead of saying "The company needs to respond to this", specify "The company needs to respond to the customer complaints".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to respond to" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier indicating purpose or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia and wikis. For example, "We need to respond to that".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

14%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to respond to" is a versatile and grammatically sound infinitive phrase widely used to indicate a reaction or answer to something. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic research. Key considerations include ensuring clarity in what is being responded to and selecting appropriate alternatives like "to reply to" or "to address" based on the specific nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "to respond to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to reply to

Focuses specifically on answering a communication.

to provide a response to

A more formal and elaborate way of saying "to respond to".

to react to

Emphasizes a behavioral or emotional response.

to answer to

Implies accountability or justification.

to address

Suggests dealing with a problem or issue directly.

to acknowledge

Highlights recognizing and understanding something.

to counter

Implies opposition or argumentation.

to meet

Suggests satisfying a need or requirement.

to attend to

Focuses on giving attention and care.

to take action on

Emphasizes initiating a course of action.

FAQs

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

You can use "to respond to" to indicate an action taken because of something else. For example, "The government needs "to respond to" the rising unemployment rate with new policies".

What are some alternatives to "to respond to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to reply to", "to react to", or "to address". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "to" before "respond to"?

Yes, "to" is essential when using "respond" as an infinitive. Without "to", it changes the grammatical structure. For example, use "to respond to the inquiry" not "respond to the inquiry".

What is the difference between "to react to" and "to respond to"?

"To react to" implies a more immediate, often emotional, response, while "to respond to" suggests a more considered and thoughtful action. "To react to" is often instinctive; "to respond to" is often planned.