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In response to
Definition
The grammar pattern "名詞＋に応えて／名詞＋に応える＋名詞" is used to express that someone does something in response to expectations, requests, or cheers. It emphasizes the action taken in response to a specific stimulus. This pattern is often used to convey a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, or completion of a task. The nuance of this pattern lies in its ability to highlight the connection between the stimulus and the response, making it a useful tool for describing situations where someone takes action to meet or exceed expectations.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb form name: 連用形 | 名詞＋に応えて／名詞＋に応える＋名詞 | 選手たちは、ファンの熱い声援に応えて全力でプレーした。 |
| Verb form name: 連用形 | 名詞＋に応えて／名詞＋に応える＋名詞 | 住民の要望に応えて、公園に新しい遊具が設置されることになった。 |
| Verb form name: 連用形 | 名詞＋に応えて／名詞＋に応える＋名詞 | アンコールに応えて、歌手はもう一度ステージに現れた。 |
Examples
選手たちは、ファンの熱い声援に応えて全力でプレーした。
Senshu-tachi wa, fan no atsui koeen ni miete, zenryoku de pureshita.
The players responded to the fans' enthusiastic cheers by playing with all their might.
選手たちは (The players) + ファンの熱い声援に (in response to the fans' enthusiastic cheers) + 応えて (responded) + 全力で (with all their might) + プレーした (played)
住民の要望に応えて、公園に新しい遊具が設置されることになった。
Jumin no yotei ni miete, kōen ni atarashii yūgu ga setsubaseru koto ni natta.
In response to the residents' requests, new playground equipment was installed in the park.
住民の要望に (in response to the residents' requests) + 応えて (responded) + 公園に (in the park) + 新しい遊具が (new playground equipment) + 設置されることになった (was installed)
アンコールに応えて、歌手はもう一度ステージに現れた。
Ankōru ni miete, uta-tachi wa mō ichido suteiji ni arawareta.
In response to the encore, the singer appeared on stage once again.
アンコールに (in response to the encore) + 応えて (responded) + 歌手は (the singer) + もう一度 (once again) + ステージに (on stage) + 現れた (appeared)
Context
This pattern is used to express a response to expectations, requests, or cheers. It is often used in situations where someone takes action to meet or exceed expectations. The nuance of this pattern lies in its ability to highlight the connection between the stimulus and the response. It is not suitable for expressing a simple reaction to an event, as that would be expressed using the pattern ～に反応して.
Watch out
～に応えて is used to express a response to expectations, requests, or cheers, whereas ～に反応して is used to express a simple reaction to an event.
～に対して is used to express a response to a specific person or thing, whereas ～に応えて is used to express a response to expectations, requests, or cheers.
～に従って is used to express following a rule or change, whereas ～に応えて is used to express a response to expectations, requests, or cheers.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, be sure to pay attention to the context and the nuance of the sentence. Make sure to use the correct verb form and to highlight the connection between the stimulus and the response.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 名詞＋に応えて／名詞＋に応える＋名詞 used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
選手たちは、ファンの熱い声援に応えて全力でプレーした。
Pattern used: に応えて
Doing something (playing hard) to satisfy a positive external stimulus (fans' cheers) uses 'に応えて'.
住民の要望に応えて、公園に新しい遊具が設置されることになった。
Pattern used: に応えて
Responding to a formal request (要望) to produce a result uses 'に応えて'.
アンコールに応えて、歌手はもう一度ステージに現れた。
Pattern used: に応えて
The singer appeared in response to the encore request from the audience.
Interactive
選手たちは、ファンの熱い声援______全力でプレーした。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.