as they replied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they replied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement or action that reflects the response given by others. Example: "The committee discussed the proposal thoroughly, as they replied with their concerns and suggestions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the spirit that had served them so well in their first two games of the tournament against Tonga and Samoa was soon in evidence as they replied with a splendid score of their own, the Wakefield wing Damien Blanch set free by his centre Sean Gleeson and beating Fiji's highly-rated full-back Jarryd Hayne with a classic in-and-away.

The Guardian - Sport

England scored only 215 runs in 98.3 overs at the Oval as they replied to Australia's 492-9 declared.

BBC

Wakefield led 12-6 athehe break as they replied to Paul Wellens' first try of 2015 with converted tries of their own from Matty Ashurst and Reece Lyne.

BBC

Many respondents became animated as they replied to this question; responses were usually lengthy.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We have reached out to CNN for comment and will update as soon as they reply.

Huffington Post

I asked them what they thought and as expected they replied, "This is awesome!" I spotted the children's father, Ross Martin, Executive VP of Marketing for Viacom, and asked him about the incentive behind The Lair.

Huffington Post

Not a page is without some fascinating and unexpected shaft; when he says something to somebody, as often as not they reply with a quote from Cato the Elder.

The Guardian - Books

"That's for the vegetarians!" Aggrieved, they replied, as in one voice, "But we're kind of vegetarian now".

The New Yorker

6 "'Because the organic food we produce here is cheaper, healthier and better for the planet,' they replied as one.

The Guardian - Opinion

So tightly are the two young women entwined that, as their headmistress recalls, they "replied politely to anything I asked, and whichever one answered spoke in the plural.

The New York Times - Books

When he recently informed a meeting of fellow Lib Dem ministers that he had just extended FOI to a number of additional bodies such as the Association of Chief Police Officers, they replied "What did you want to do that for?" But perhaps this was just a joke.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if "as they replied" is the most fitting phrase, or if a more descriptive verb like 'retorted' or 'explained' would enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid repetitive use of "as they replied" in formal documents. Opt for diverse verbs like 'responded', 'stated', or 'communicated' to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they replied" functions as an introductory phrase that connects an action or statement to a previous question or situation, indicating the manner in which a group responded. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they replied" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a response from a group. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news and media, with occasional use in scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more descriptive alternatives might be preferable in formal writing or when greater precision is needed. Remember to consider the context to ensure the verb accurately reflects the nature of the response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when they responded

Changes the conjunction and verb to convey a sense of timing with 'when' and uses 'responded' for a slightly more formal tone.

as they answered

Replaces 'replied' with 'answered', providing a more general synonym for giving a response.

when they retorted

Uses 'retorted' to imply a sharp or witty reply, adding a layer of attitude not present in the original.

as they countered

Suggests a reply that opposes or argues against a previous statement, introducing a sense of conflict.

as was their response

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the response itself, lending a slightly more formal tone.

as they communicated

Employs 'communicated' to broaden the scope beyond just replying, encompassing any form of conveying information.

when their reaction was

Shifts focus to the reaction itself and its timing, rather than the direct reply.

as they voiced

Replaces 'replied' with 'voiced', highlighting the act of expressing something aloud.

the group then stated

Introduces a collective subject 'the group' and uses 'stated' for a formal declaration.

following the question, they said

Adds explicit reference to a preceding question and uses the basic 'said' for simplicity.

FAQs

How can I use "as they replied" in a sentence?

Use "as they replied" to introduce a statement or reaction from a group of people. For instance, "The students considered the question carefully, as they replied with thoughtful answers".

What are some alternatives to "as they replied"?

You can use alternatives like "as they responded", "as they answered", or "when they responded" depending on the context.

Is "as they replied" formal or informal?

"As they replied" is generally considered neutral in tone. It can be used in both formal and informal writing, though more descriptive verbs might be preferable in very formal contexts.

Can I use "as they replied" to describe a single person's response?

While grammatically correct, "as they replied" is best suited for describing a group's response. For a single person, use "as he replied" or "as she replied" to maintain clarity and accuracy.