Many people get confused between responce or response. Sentences like I’m waiting for your responce show why.
The correct spelling is response, meaning an answer or reaction to a question, message, or situation. Responce is a frequent misspelling and should be avoided.
This guide explains the correct usage of response, its origin, British and American English rules, common mistakes, and practical examples.
By the end, you’ll confidently use response in emails, assignments, and professional writing never responce.
Responce or Response – Quick Answer
✅ Correct spelling: response
❌ Incorrect spelling: responce
Explanation
- Response refers to a reaction, answer, or reply to something.
- Responce is a common typo that is not recognized in standard English.
Examples
- I appreciate your prompt response to my email.
- Her response to the question was thoughtful and detailed.
- The team is waiting for a response from management.
❌ Incorrect: I appreciate your prompt responce to my email.
Quick Tip: Whenever you mean a reply, reaction, or answer, always use response.
The Origin of Responce or Response
Word Origin
- Response comes from the Latin responsum, meaning answer or reply.
- It entered English through Old French response in the 14th century, retaining the meaning of an answer or reaction.
Why the Spelling Confusion Exists
- Many people mistakenly replace the s with a c, creating responce.
- English pronunciation does not always reflect spelling, leading to common errors.
- Standard English dictionaries only recognize response as correct.
British English vs American English Spelling
Consistency Across Regions
Both British and American English use response. There is no variant like responce.
Comparison Table
| Feature | British English | American English | Notes |
| Correct spelling | response | response | Standard in all contexts |
| Common typo | responce | responce | Incorrect |
| Usage | Formal and informal writing | Formal and informal writing | Identical usage |
| Pronunciation | /rɪˈspɒns/ | /rɪˈspɑːns/ | Slight accent difference |
Examples
- UK: The committee is awaiting your response.
- US: Please provide your response by Friday.
Responce should never appear in professional or casual writing.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
General Advice
- Always use response in emails, essays, articles, and social media.
- Avoid responce, as it is a spelling mistake.
Audience-Based Guidance
US English Writers
- ✔️ Use response for replies, answers, or reactions in all contexts.
UK & Commonwealth Writers
- ✔️ Use response identically. No regional variation exists.
Global English Learners
- ✔️ Memorize response as the only correct spelling.
- ✔️ Associate it with answer or reaction to avoid mistakes.
Common Mistakes with Responce or Response
- ❌ I’m still waiting for your responce.
✔️ I’m still waiting for your response. - ❌ Her responce to the question was unclear.
✔️ Her response to the question was unclear. - ❌ Please send a responce as soon as possible.
✔️ Please send a response as soon as possible. - ❌ The team appreciated his quick responce.
✔️ The team appreciated his quick response. - ❌ No responce has been received yet.
✔️ No response has been received yet.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- Think of the Latin root responsum, which contains an s, not a c.
- Pronounce it slowly: re-sponse → makes the s audible.
- Use spell-check tools but also rely on memory of the correct spelling.
Response or Responce in Everyday Examples
In Emails
✔️ Thank you for your response to my inquiry.
❌ Thank you for your responce to my inquiry.
In News Headlines
✔️ Government awaits response from international partners.
❌ Government awaits responce from international partners.
On Social Media
✔️ Your response made me rethink my decision.
❌ Your responce made me rethink my decision.
In Text Messaging
✔️ Got your response—thanks!
❌ Got your responce—thanks!
In Formal Writing
✔️ The professor’s response to the student’s query was detailed and constructive.
❌ The professor’s responce to the student’s query was detailed and constructive.
Fun Everyday Examples
- He gave a quick response to the customer complaint.
- The team’s response to the new policy was positive.
Responce vs Response – Google Trends & Usage Data
Why People Search This Term
- Confusion due to pronunciation and spelling
- ESL learners proofreading assignments
- Writers and journalists ensuring proper usage in formal communication
Popularity by Country
- India
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- US & UK
Observations
- Searches peak during exams, assignments, or professional communication reviews.
- Response dominates dictionaries, news, and professional writing.
- Responce is mostly seen as a typo online.
Keyword Variations Side by Side
| Phrase | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| response | Reply, reaction, answer | ✔️ Standard |
| responce | Misspelling of response | ❌ Avoid |
| responsive | Adjective, reacts quickly | ✔️ He is responsive to emails. |
| respond | Verb, to reply or react | ✔️ Please respond promptly. |
| responses | Plural | ✔️ The survey received many responses. |
| responsiveness | Noun, quality of reacting | ✔️ The team showed great responsiveness. |
FAQs
1. Is responce ever correct?
No. Responce is a spelling mistake. Always use response.
2. How can I remember the correct spelling?
Think of the Latin root responsum, which contains an s, not a c.
3. Can response be used in formal writing?
Yes, it is widely used in professional, academic, and journalistic writing.
4. Are there British vs American differences?
No. Both variants use response identically.
5. Can response be used for emails?
Yes. Example: I await your response to this message.
6. Is there a plural form?
Yes. Responses: The survey received many responses.
7. Are there related adjectives or nouns?
Yes. Responsive (adjective) and responsiveness (noun) are related forms.
Conclusion
The confusion between responce or response is common but easy to fix. The correct spelling is always response, meaning a reply, reaction, or answer.
Responce is a spelling mistake and should be avoided.
Both British and American English follow the same rule. Use response in emails, assignments, articles, and social media to ensure clarity and professionalism.
It can be a noun (response), plural (responses), or the base for related forms like responsive and responsiveness.
Remember its Latin root responsum and pronounce it slowly re-sponse to reinforce the correct spelling. Using response correctly improves readability, credibility, and understanding in all contexts.
I’m Karl Wiggins, a content writer specializing in English grammar, vocabulary, and common language mistakes, with an emphasis on clarity and accuracy.
