a cordial reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cordial reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is friendly, warm, and polite. Example: "I appreciate your inquiry and look forward to receiving a cordial reply to my questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He wrote a cordial reply saying that he seldom worked there now, but he was sure something could be arranged.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last week a cordial reply was published from a senior church spokesman; it partly concurred with Mr Zyuganov's sentiments, agreeing that at grave moments in history, broad coalitions had worked together for the good of the Russian state.Such emollient exchanges between Russian communists and churchmen are not as surprising as you might think.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I expected a cordial discussion.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a cordial discussion".

The New York Times - Sports

It has not been a cordial contest.

The New York Times

It can be a cordial request.

The Guardian

He describes a waiter as "a cordial colored gentleman".

The New York Times - Books

The Under Secretary yielded and ordered a cordial.

The New Yorker

I have a cordial relationship with my neighbor.

The New York Times

They all said he was a cordial and approachable neighbor.

The New York Times

David Axelrod, Mr. Obama's senior adviser, called it "a cordial discussion".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cordial reply" when you want to emphasize the politeness and friendliness of a response, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a cordial reply" in informal or highly emotional situations where a simpler, more direct response would be more appropriate. It's best suited for formal exchanges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cordial reply" functions as a noun phrase, where "cordial" modifies "reply". It describes the nature or quality of the response. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage in various contexts, indicating its role in describing a polite and friendly communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cordial reply" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a polite and friendly response. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While not exceedingly common, it is found primarily in news and media, professional, and occasionally encyclopedic sources. The phrase serves to convey respect and maintain positive relationships. Alternatives include "a friendly response" or "a polite answer", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality. Therefore, use "a cordial reply" when aiming for a tone of respectful politeness, particularly in formal or professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gracious answer

Replaces "reply" with "answer" and "cordial" with "gracious", emphasizing politeness.

a friendly response

Substitutes "cordial" with "friendly" and "reply" with "response", offering a more common alternative.

a warm acknowledgment

Uses "warm" in place of "cordial" and "acknowledgment" instead of "reply", highlighting the sincerity of the response.

a polite answer

Replaces "cordial" with "polite", focusing on the courteous nature of the response.

a civil rejoinder

Employs "civil" to convey respect and "rejoinder" as a more formal alternative to "reply".

a pleasant response

Uses "pleasant" instead of "cordial", indicating a pleasing or agreeable answer.

an amiable retort

Replaces "reply" with "retort" and "cordial" with "amiable", suggesting a friendly and quick-witted response.

a well-mannered answer

Substitutes "cordial" with "well-mannered", stressing the good manners evident in the reply.

a courteous response

Uses "courteous" as an alternative to "cordial", emphasizing respect and good manners.

a genial reply

Employs "genial" in place of "cordial", conveying warmth and friendliness.

FAQs

How can I use "a cordial reply" in a sentence?

You might say, "The ambassador sent "a cordial reply" to the invitation, expressing his gratitude".

What's a good alternative to "a cordial reply"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a friendly response", "a polite answer", or "a gracious answer".

Is "a cordial reply" suitable for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "a cordial reply" is more fitting for formal or professional communication. Simpler phrases are better for informal contexts.

What distinguishes "a cordial reply" from "a warm reply"?

While both convey positive sentiment, "a cordial reply" emphasizes politeness and formality, whereas "a warm reply" focuses more on genuine friendliness and enthusiasm.