respond
To say or write something as a reply to a question, statement, or letter, or to react to something by taking action. In academic contexts, it often refers to how an organism, system, or person reacts to a specific stimulus or event.
Examples
3 of 5He didn't respond to my text message until the next morning.
He did not give an answer to my text message until the following day.
The government has yet to respond to the committee's latest findings.
The authorities have not yet provided a formal reply to the results found by the committee.
I waved at her across the street, but she didn't respond.
I signaled to her, but she did not acknowledge me or react.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 're-' in respond as standing for 'Reaction'. When you respond, you are giving a Reaction to a Prompt.
Quick Quiz
The emergency services were praised for how quickly they were able to ______ to the accident.
Correct!
The correct answer is: respond
Examples
He didn't respond to my text message until the next morning.
everydayHe did not give an answer to my text message until the following day.
The government has yet to respond to the committee's latest findings.
formalThe authorities have not yet provided a formal reply to the results found by the committee.
I waved at her across the street, but she didn't respond.
informalI signaled to her, but she did not acknowledge me or react.
The study examines how different plant species respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.
academicThe research looks at the way various plants react to higher levels of CO2.
We need to respond to the competitor's price cut to maintain our market share.
businessWe must take action in reaction to the rival company's lower prices to keep our position.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
respond in kind
to react to someone's action by doing the same thing back to them
first responder
someone such as a police officer or paramedic who is among the first to arrive at an emergency
respond to the call
to take action because a situation requires it or because someone asked for help
Often Confused With
Answer is more common and general; respond is more formal and is often used for physical or biological reactions to stimuli.
Usage Notes
The verb 'respond' is almost always followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the person or thing being answered. It is considered more formal than 'answer' or 'reply'.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is omitting the preposition 'to', such as saying 'Please respond me' instead of the correct 'Please respond to me'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 're-' in respond as standing for 'Reaction'. When you respond, you are giving a Reaction to a Prompt.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'respondere', composed of 're-' (back) and 'spondere' (to promise), originally meaning to promise in return.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western business cultures, responding to an email within 24 hours is considered a key aspect of professional etiquette and reliability.
Quick Quiz
The emergency services were praised for how quickly they were able to ______ to the accident.
Correct!
The correct answer is: respond
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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