What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reacting
Example
She reacted quickly when she saw the spider crawling up her arm. [reacted: past tense]
Example
His reaction to the news was one of shock and disbelief. [reaction: noun]
responding
Example
He responded to the email with a detailed explanation of his position. [responded: past tense]
Example
The company is responding to customer complaints by improving their product. [responding: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Responding is more commonly used than reacting in everyday language. Responding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reacting is less common and often associated with negative connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reacting and responding?
Both reacting and responding can be used in formal and informal contexts, but responding is generally more appropriate for formal situations where thoughtfulness and professionalism are valued.
