Furnish a satisfactory reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Furnish a satisfactory reply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to provide a response that meets certain standards or expectations. Example: "In order to proceed with your application, please furnish a satisfactory reply to our inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though it did not furnish a satisfactory solution to a number of problems (foremost among them being that of the gradual transfer of economically exploited land to peasant ownership), this October Edict was a decisive step in the conversion of Prussia to civil liberty and to equality before the law.

Britannica

For the doxastic conception of delusions, the greatest challenge is to provide a satisfactory reply to the double-bookkeeping objection: if people truly believe the content of their delusions, why is their behavior often inconsistent with it?

SEP

ClientEarth said that if it does not receive a satisfactory reply within 10 days, it will launch legal proceedings in the high court.

The Guardian

Write detailing what you're claiming and say that if you don't get a satisfactory reply within 14 days you will take the matter up with the association (bar.co.uk – 01923 6994801923

Independent

I was received at this hour by the State Secretary, but the latter informed me that he was not in a position to tell me whether a satisfactory reply had been made to my letter of September 1, nor even whether such a reply could be given thereto.

Yale University

Once a satisfactory reply and revisions from the researchers are received, approval is usually granted quickly.

BMC Medical Ethics

The majority's holding represents a compromise position that neither comports with the fundamental principles of tort compensation nor furnishes a satisfactory, logically consistent framework for compensating nonpecuniary loss.

Harvard University

This teleology is reflected in V.2 ch 7 9 where, after listing 27 problems raised by the heavenly bodies, Gersonides suggests that only astrological considerations can furnish satisfactory replies; it is astrology alone that can explain the connection between the two realms.

SEP

Participants who were able to provide a satisfactory response to these questions were invited to sign the written consent form and return it to the research assistant using the attached reply-paid envelope.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

But he furnished a glancing reply to the question about the extent of the French taste for further attempts at reform in the face of new projections of declining growth and deepening deficits that break the government's commitment to meet the European Union's consolidation targets this year.

The New York Times

I furnish a room.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "furnish a satisfactory reply", ensure the context is formal or professional. This phrase implies a level of expectation and accountability for the response.

Common error

Avoid using "furnish a satisfactory reply" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "give a good answer" are more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "furnish a satisfactory reply" is as a verb phrase acting as a directive. It instructs or requests someone to provide a response that meets specific criteria, often in a formal or official context. Ludwig indicates that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "furnish a satisfactory reply" is a grammatically correct phrase used to request a response that meets certain standards, as confirmed by Ludwig. While the phrase is valid, it is relatively uncommon and best suited for formal contexts. Alternative phrases such as "provide a sufficient answer" or "give an adequate response" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Remember to avoid using it in informal conversations to maintain appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provide a sufficient answer

Replaces "furnish" with "provide" and "reply" with "answer", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

Give an adequate response

Uses "give" instead of "furnish" and "response" in place of "reply", offering a slightly less formal tone.

Submit a satisfactory answer

Emphasizes the action of submitting a response that meets requirements, suitable for formal contexts.

Offer an acceptable explanation

Shifts the focus to providing an explanation that is considered acceptable, useful in situations requiring justification.

Supply a suitable response

Replaces "furnish" with "supply" and focuses on the suitability of the response.

Deliver a satisfactory explanation

Highlights the delivery of an explanation that is up to par, implying a formal or important context.

Present an adequate reply

Uses "present" to emphasize the act of offering a reply that is sufficient, suitable for presentations or formal discussions.

Give a response that satisfies

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize the satisfying nature of the response, which is a slightly more descriptive alternative.

Provide a response that is adequate

Similar to above but highlights that the response must be adequate

Offer an explanation that is sufficient

Similar to "offer an acceptable explanation" but using the adjective sufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "furnish a satisfactory reply" in a sentence?

You might use "furnish a satisfactory reply" in formal contexts such as, "In order to proceed with your application, please furnish a satisfactory reply to our inquiries."

What are some alternatives to "furnish a satisfactory reply"?

You can use alternatives like "provide a sufficient answer", "give an adequate response", or "submit a satisfactory answer" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "furnish a satisfactory reply"?

To "furnish a satisfactory reply" means to provide a response that adequately addresses the question or requirement and meets the expected standards.

In what kind of situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "furnish a satisfactory reply"?

This phrase is best suited for formal or professional situations where a certain level of detail, accuracy, or completeness is expected in the response.