React and respond are two verbs that are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. The main difference lies in the level of spontaneity and thought involved. 'React' implies an automatic, often involuntary response to a stimulus, while 'respond' suggests a more considered and deliberate action. Think of 'react' as a knee-jerk reaction, and 'respond' as a thoughtful reply.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• React:

  • "He reacted angrily to the news." (Meaning: His anger was an immediate, unplanned response.)
  • "The dog reacted defensively when it saw the cat." (Meaning: The dog's defensive behavior was instinctive.)

• Respond:

  • "She responded calmly to the criticism." (Meaning: She thought about her answer before replying.)
  • "The company responded quickly to the customer's complaint." (Meaning: The company took deliberate action.)

Notice that 'respond' often implies a more formal or official reply, whereas 'react' tends to be used for more personal, emotional responses. You can 'respond' to a letter, an email, or a question, but you 'react' to a sudden noise or a surprising event.

Another subtle difference lies in the object. While you can react to something, you can also respond to something, but you can also respond with something (e.g., 'She responded with a smile').

Let's look at some more examples:

• "The patient reacted badly to the medication." (The patient's reaction was involuntary)
• "The patient responded well to the treatment." (The patient's response shows improvement, and implies the treatment was successful)

Happy learning!