they responded vs they respond

Both "they responded" and "they respond" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "They responded" is in the past tense, indicating that the action of responding has already taken place. On the other hand, "they respond" is in the present tense, indicating that the action of responding is currently happening or is a habitual action.

Last updated: March 29, 2024

they responded

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that the action of responding has already taken place in the past.

Use "they responded" when referring to an action of responding that has already occurred in the past.

Examples:

They responded to the email yesterday.
When I asked for help, they responded immediately.

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Israeli troops were pelted with stones and they responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Apparently they responded to a 9-1-1 call in that area.
You see how they responded to me?
The Polish contractor was prosecuted; they responded by taking the case to court, and the ECJ recently voted in favour of the Polish subcontractor.
Of all the narratives their fears wrote, they responded only to the most lurid, the most vivid, the one that was easiest for their imaginations to picture: cannibals.
We also have the right to know which countries responded in a certain way, and why it is that they responded in a non-transparent way without leaving us a minimum of doubt, because we still have our doubts whether there was any business.
They responded: "Cannot identify, requisition cancelled".
They responded to a 911 call, when they got here, he was bandaged up already.
They responded to a call at the Eckhouse residence about a month ago.
They responded by resorting to film censorship, an action which undermines the right of free expression.
We submitted the draft to them, they responded back to us. "Yes, we understand the definition.
And they responded to him with warmth.
When you destroyed the nanites, they responded by interfering with our life support.
Police officers were fired upon, and they responded appropriately.
Local cops, they responded to the explosion.
Tunisia - The EU reviewed initiatives under preparation to ensure that they responded to immediate challenges.
Yes, I think they responded to that very well actually.
Flack said the front door was bolted from the inside when they responded to the 91 1 call.
I mean, we came in with guns blazing, and they responded with an olive branch.
As regards the comments of SIC on Article 11(2) of Law No 21/92, they responded that the Portuguese legislator did not grant public undertakings specific tax benefits in the event of business conversion or restructuring.

Alternatives:

they have responded
they had responded
they were responding
they had been responding
they had already responded

they respond

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that the action of responding is currently happening or is a habitual action.

Use "they respond" when referring to an action of responding that is currently happening or is a habitual action.