response
A response is what you say or do after someone speaks to you or something happens.
Explanation at your level:
A response is an answer. If I say 'Hello', your 'Hello' is your response. It is what you do after someone talks to you.
When you reply to a message or answer a question, that is a response. For example, if your friend texts you, your reply is your response. It can be a word or an action.
A response is a reaction to something. It is very common in work and school. You might give a written response to a teacher or a quick response to a customer. It is a formal way to say 'answer' or 'reaction'.
The word response is used to describe how someone or something reacts to a stimulus. It is more formal than 'answer'. We often use it in phrases like 'a delayed response' or 'an overwhelming response'. It is essential for describing cause-and-effect relationships.
In advanced English, response often appears in academic or professional contexts. It implies a structured or measured reaction. We use it when analyzing data, such as a 'market response' to a new product, or in literary criticism when discussing a reader's response to a text.
Response carries nuances of accountability and engagement. In high-level discourse, it denotes a deliberate counter-action or a systemic reaction. Whether discussing the physiological response of an organism or a diplomatic response to international tension, the word signifies a critical point of interaction between two entities.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- A response is an answer or reaction.
- It can be spoken, written, or physical.
- Always use 'to' after response.
- It is a neutral, professional word.
Think of a response as the second half of a conversation or a reaction to an event. Whenever you answer a question, reply to an email, or even jump back when you hear a loud noise, you are providing a response.
It is a very flexible word because it covers both words and actions. If a teacher asks a question, your verbal answer is your response. If a fire alarm goes off and you exit the building, your movement is a physical response to the alarm.
The word response comes from the Latin word responsus, which is the past participle of respondere. This literally means 'to promise in return' or 'to answer'.
It entered Middle English through Old French around the 14th century. Interestingly, it is closely related to the word respondent, which is a legal term for someone who answers a petition in court. Over time, it evolved from a formal legal or religious 'answer' into the general word we use today for any kind of reaction.
You will hear response used in almost every setting, from casual chats to board meetings. In professional settings, we often talk about a 'prompt response' to show efficiency.
Common pairings include 'positive response' or 'negative response' when discussing feedback. It is a neutral word, meaning it doesn't automatically imply that the reaction was good or bad—it just describes the act of reacting.
1. In response to: Used to explain why something happened. In response to the rain, we moved the party indoors.
2. Get a rise out of: To provoke a reaction. He teased her just to get a rise out of her.
3. Call and response: A musical style where one person sings and others answer. The concert featured great call and response moments.
4. Beyond the call of duty: Going further than expected. His response to the crisis was beyond the call of duty.
5. Non-committal response: A reply that avoids giving a clear 'yes' or 'no'. She gave a non-committal response when asked about the plan.
Response is a countable noun. The plural form is responses. It is often used with the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'a response to the letter').
Pronunciation: In British English, it is /rɪˈspɒns/. In American English, it is /rɪˈspɑːns/. The stress is always on the second syllable. Rhyming words include beyond, abscond, and correspond.
Fun Fact
The word share roots with 'sponsor'!
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with a short 'ri' sound, followed by a clear 'spons'.
Similar to UK but with a deeper 'ah' sound in the second syllable.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 's' as 'z'
- Putting stress on the first syllable
- Dropping the final 's'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Commonly used
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a response / two responses
Preposition 'to'
response to X
Subject-Verb Agreement
The response is...
Examples by Level
I sent a response to his email.
sent = mailed
past tense
Her response was 'Yes'.
was = past of is
linking verb
He gave a quick response.
quick = fast
adjective modifying noun
I wait for a response.
wait = look for
present tense
The response was good.
good = positive
simple sentence
Write a response now.
write = put on paper
imperative
No response yet.
yet = until now
adverb usage
What is your response?
what = question
question structure
The company got a big response.
I am waiting for your response.
His response made me happy.
She sent a written response.
Did you get a response?
The response was very fast.
We need a response today.
There was no response.
The public response was supportive.
He failed to provide a response.
The government's response was slow.
I appreciate your quick response.
They are planning a response.
Her response to the news was calm.
The response time is very short.
We expect a response by Monday.
The immune system's response is complex.
The company is reviewing the customer response.
Their response was entirely inadequate.
We need a coordinated response to this crisis.
The emergency response was immediate.
His response to the criticism was professional.
The survey yielded a positive response.
She gave a detailed response to the inquiry.
The market's response to the policy shift was volatile.
The artist's work is a direct response to the era's politics.
There was a muted response from the board of directors.
The physiological response to stress can be severe.
We are analyzing the public's response to the new regulations.
His response was a masterclass in diplomacy.
The system is designed for a rapid response.
The response of the audience was overwhelming.
The architect's design is a thoughtful response to the urban landscape.
The legislative response was a paradigm shift in environmental law.
The organism exhibits a distinct response to chemical stimuli.
Her response was laden with subtext and irony.
The global response to the pandemic was unprecedented.
We must consider the ethical implications of our response.
The poem serves as a lyrical response to the tragedy.
The response was met with skepticism by the scientific community.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"in response to"
as an answer to
In response to the email, I called him.
neutral"call and response"
a musical pattern of answering
The choir used call and response.
neutral"get a rise out of"
to provoke a reaction
He loves to get a rise out of his sister.
casual"beyond the call of duty"
doing more than required
His help was beyond the call of duty.
neutral"no response"
silence or lack of answer
I got no response from the office.
neutral"a knee-jerk response"
an automatic, unthinking reaction
It was just a knee-jerk response.
casualEasily Confused
Verb vs Noun
Respond is the action, response is the result.
I will respond (v) to your response (n).
Both mean reply
Answer is specific to questions.
He answered the question; he gave a response.
Both mean response
Reaction is often emotional/physical.
His reaction was fear; his response was a letter.
Same root
Responsibility is a duty.
It is my responsibility to give a response.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + gave + a + response
He gave a quick response.
In response to + noun
In response to the letter, I wrote back.
There was + a + response
There was no response.
I + am waiting for + a + response
I am waiting for a response.
The response + was + adjective
The response was positive.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Spelling error; it ends in -se.
The correct preposition is 'to'.
Using the verb is more natural.
Again, use 'to' for the target.
Response is a noun, not a verb.
Tips
Use it in emails
Always say 'Thank you for your prompt response'.
Always use 'to'
Say 'response to' not 'response of'.
Don't add -ing
It's a noun, not a verb!
Latin roots
It comes from 'to promise'.
Flashcards
Pair it with 'to'.
Stress the 2nd syllable
re-SPONS-e.
Professionalism
Using 'response' sounds more professional than 'answer'.
The Tennis Trick
Think of a ball being returned.
Journaling
Write a response to a news article.
Noun check
If you need a verb, use 'respond'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
RE-SPONS-E: Remember Every Person Should Offer Nice Sentences Everywhere.
Visual Association
A tennis match where the ball is the 'response' going back and forth.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use the word 'response' in every email you write today.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: to promise in return
Kultureller Kontext
None, very neutral word.
Used frequently in customer service and formal emails.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- prompt response
- awaiting your response
- feedback response
In an emergency
- emergency response
- rapid response
- immediate response
At school
- written response
- thoughtful response
- class response
In daily life
- no response
- get a response
- quick response
Conversation Starters
"What was your response to the movie?"
"Did you get a response from your boss?"
"Why is a quick response important?"
"How do you give a polite response?"
"What is the best response to a compliment?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to give a difficult response.
Write a response to a letter you received.
Why do people sometimes delay their response?
How does your response change based on who you talk to?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, respond is the verb.
Responses.
Yes, physical responses count.
It is neutral and works everywhere.
Answer is usually for questions; response is broader.
Yes, that is the standard pattern.
Yes.
No, it depends on the context.
Teste dich selbst
I sent him a message, but I have no ___ yet.
A reply is needed.
Which word is a synonym for response?
Reply means answer.
The plural of response is responsies.
It is responses.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching adjectives to nouns.
Subject + verb + object.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
A response is the vital link between an action and a reaction.
- A response is an answer or reaction.
- It can be spoken, written, or physical.
- Always use 'to' after response.
- It is a neutral, professional word.
Use it in emails
Always say 'Thank you for your prompt response'.
Always use 'to'
Say 'response to' not 'response of'.
Don't add -ing
It's a noun, not a verb!
Latin roots
It comes from 'to promise'.
Beispiel
I sent her a message, but I haven't received a response yet.
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addressee
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