Roger that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Roger that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to acknowledge receipt of a message or to indicate understanding, often in informal or military contexts. Example: "I received your instructions, and I will proceed as planned. Roger that." Alternative expressions include "Understood" and "Got it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Roger that," she says.

The New Yorker

"Roger that," the gunner said.

The New York Times

"Roger that, Lucky Charm, Sharonn radioed back.

The New York Times

"Roger, that wasn't me," Gronkowski said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Roger that," came an immediate reply from an unseen plane approaching the statue.

The New York Times

"Roger that, sir," are the only words of Bergdahl's Smith records.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The folks at Ausdroid got their collective hands on a short demo video from Canadian wireless carrier Rogers that affords us our best look yet at what Motorola's first post-acquisition phone brings to the table when it comes to software.

TechCrunch

Familiar objects and more cultural references appear here, and again they seem to hold personal meaning to Rogers that are likely far from our own associations with these objects.

Vice

For instance, they said, he opposed the 1939 Wagner-Rogers bill that would have permitted the United States to take in 20,000 Jewish children from Germany in addition to the existing German-Austrian quota of 27,370.

The New York Times - Books

"It's not like we're providing Fred and Ginger in the Depression," Mr. Thacker said, referring to the Astaire-Rogers musicals that entertained moviegoers in the 1930s, but "if there was ever a need for frivolity, for escape, this is a place to find it".

The New York Times

Thank Rogers for that.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for informal settings, dialogue, or professional environments that mimic radio or military brevity.

Common error

Avoid using "Roger that" as a substitute for 'Yes' or agreement in formal negotiations. In its original sense, it only means the message was received and understood, not necessarily that you agree with it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Roger that" functions as an interjection or phatic expression used to acknowledge the receipt of a message. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct within its specific communicative niche, primarily serving as a marker of confirmation in dialogue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Roger that" is a widely recognized and effective interjection for signaling acknowledgment. As shown by Ludwig, its roots in radio telephony have successfully transitioned into modern vernacular, appearing frequently in high-quality journalism and literature. While it is grammatically correct, its specialized nature means it is best suited for scenarios where clarity and brevity are prioritized over formal prose. Using alternatives like "understood" may be more appropriate for academic or strictly corporate writing, but "Roger that" remains the gold standard for concise, efficient confirmation in speech and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Copy that

Emphasizes that the message was received exactly as sent

Understood

A more formal and direct acknowledgment of comprehension

Got it

More informal and common in casual conversation

Message received

A literal and formal way to confirm reception

Acknowledged

Highly professional and succinct confirmation

Wilco

Specifically indicates 'Will Comply' in addition to receiving the message

Affirmative

Signals 'Yes' or agreement rather than just receipt

Loud and clear

Confirms both the signal quality and the understanding of the content

Copy

A shorter, more rapid version used in high-frequency communication

I hear you

Suggests listening and understanding, often with an empathetic tone

FAQs

How to use "Roger that" in a sentence?

You can use "Roger that" as a standalone interjection to confirm receipt of information, such as: "The meeting is at five? Roger that."

What is the difference between "Roger that" and "Copy that"?

While both signal acknowledgment, "copy that" specifically means you heard the transmission clearly, whereas "Roger that" emphasizes that the content has been understood.

Is "Roger that" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. While derived from military procedures, it is now widely used in casual workplace communication and media.

What can I say instead of "Roger that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "understood", "got it", or "acknowledged".