B2 noun Neutral

respond

/rɪˈspɒnd/

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 5
1

He 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.

2

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.

3

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

Noun
response
Verb
respond
Adverb
responsively
Adjective
responsive
Related
respondent
💡

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

1

He didn't respond to my text message until the next morning.

everyday

He did not give an answer to my text message until the following day.

2

The government has yet to respond to the committee's latest findings.

formal

The authorities have not yet provided a formal reply to the results found by the committee.

3

I waved at her across the street, but she didn't respond.

informal

I signaled to her, but she did not acknowledge me or react.

4

The study examines how different plant species respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.

academic

The research looks at the way various plants react to higher levels of CO2.

5

We need to respond to the competitor's price cut to maintain our market share.

business

We must take action in reaction to the rival company's lower prices to keep our position.

Word Family

Noun
response
Verb
respond
Adverb
responsively
Adjective
responsive
Related
respondent

Common Collocations

respond to a request to provide an answer or action after someone asks for something
respond quickly to reply or react without any delay
respond to treatment to show signs of medical improvement after being given medicine or care
fail to respond to not give an answer or show any reaction
respond in writing to give an answer by sending a letter or email

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

respond vs answer

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

respond to + [someone/something] respond by + [verb-ing] respond that + [clause]
🌍

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 Phrases

Related Words

pale

A1

Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.

lung

A1

The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.

tropical

A1

Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.

trader

A1

A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.

indoor

A1

Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.

threshold

A1

A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.

tribute

A1

A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.

elder

A1

Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.

russian

A1

Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.

southeastern

A1

Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free