asked in reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked in reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question or statement that was made as a response to something previously mentioned. Example: "When I inquired about the project timeline, she asked in reply if I had considered the budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ms. Lowenstein asked in reply.

The New York Times

"Are there foods that Jews don't like?" he asked in reply.

The New Yorker

"What makes you think you're interesting enough to write about?" he asked in reply.

The New York Times - Books

Prince Charles, questioning a monk in Kyoto about the road to enlightenment, was asked in reply if he could ever forget that he was a prince.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Do you think I need it?" she asks in reply.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Whose isn't?" his mother doesn't quite ask, in reply.

The New Yorker

"Was the crucifixion a success story?" he would, no doubt, ask in reply.

The Guardian

"And I'm asking in reply, 'Where is my father?'".

BBC

How necessary to ask your wife, "What if this is a waste of time?" and have her ask in reply, "What if it's not?" Though once, at a particularly low point in my writing life, I went for a long walk to clear my head.

Huffington Post

F.D.R. asked, in his reply, how many sons did the lady think the pope had, and what were their occupations?

The New York Times

If I'm asked in castellano, I reply in castellano.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "asked in reply" when you want to emphasize that a question was posed as a direct response to a previous statement or question, highlighting the conversational exchange.

Common error

Avoid using "asked in reply" excessively in formal academic or scientific writing. More precise language may be more suitable depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked in reply" functions as a discourse marker, indicating that a question is being posed as a direct response to a preceding statement or question. It is used to show conversational flow, with Ludwig indicating its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked in reply" is a grammatically sound way to show that a question is a direct reaction in a conversation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a correct and usable phrase, although its frequency is uncommon. The primary context is news and media. When writing, consider that more precise language may be more suitable depending on the context. Alternatives such as "replied with a question" or "responded by asking" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replied with a question

Focuses on the act of replying and specifically indicates the response was a question.

responded by asking

Highlights the action of responding, framing the question as the method of response.

countered with a question

Suggests a more confrontational or strategic aspect to the response, using a question as a counter-argument.

in response to the question, asked

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the initial question and then the asking in response.

answered with a question

Highlights the act of answering, framing the question as the type of answer.

returned a question

Focuses on the act of giving back a question, suggesting a reciprocal nature.

questioned in response

Emphasizes the act of questioning as a reaction.

prompted with a question

Suggests the question was meant to elicit further information or reaction.

retorted with a question

Implies a sharp or witty response in the form of a question.

replied by questioning

Similar to 'replied with a question' but uses the gerund form to emphasize the action of questioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "asked in reply" to show that a question was a direct response to something previously said. For example: "When I asked about the deadline, she "asked in reply" if I had finished the initial research."

What are some alternatives to "asked in reply"?

Alternatives include "replied with a question", "responded by asking", or "countered with a question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "responded in reply"?

While "responded" and "replied" are similar, "asked in reply" specifically indicates that the response was a question. "Responded in reply" is redundant; using just "responded" or "replied" is usually sufficient.

How does "asked in reply" differ from simply saying "asked"?

"Asked" simply indicates a question was posed. "Asked in reply" emphasizes that the question was a direct reaction or response to a preceding statement or question, highlighting the conversational context.