bother to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'bother to reply' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing frustration or disbelief that someone has not replied to one's message or request. For example: "I sent an email last week, but they still haven't bothered to reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He didn't bother to reply.

The New Yorker

Most of them did not bother to reply.

The New York Times

Four of the banks did not bother to reply.

The Economist

The response was underwhelming; most didn't even bother to reply.

The New Yorker

A third did not bother to reply at all and another third refused to take part.

The Economist

The councillors did not bother to reply and the council turned us down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

His office never bothered to reply.

The Guardian

Only half the firms to which CDP sent its questionnaires even bothered to reply.

The Economist

Miller told the Observer: "They invited me, but I haven't even bothered to reply.

The Guardian

He admitted that he had, but hadn't bothered to reply.

The New York Times

Translation: I've sent him a couple of emails that he hasn't bothered to reply to.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bother to reply" to express annoyance or surprise when someone doesn't respond, especially when a response is expected or polite.

Common error

While "bother to reply" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional communication. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "respond" or "answer" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bother to reply" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express a lack of willingness or effort to respond. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bother to reply" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a lack of effort or willingness to respond. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness. While relatively common, it leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register, making it suitable for news and general conversation, but potentially less appropriate for formal business or academic settings. Its primary function is to express annoyance or disappointment at someone's failure to respond. Related phrases include ""make the effort to respond"" and "trouble oneself to answer", which offer subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be bothered to answer

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the state of being bothered or inconvenienced.

trouble oneself to answer

Similar to "bother to reply" but emphasizes the personal inconvenience of responding.

make the effort to respond

Emphasizes the absence of effort in responding, unlike "bother to reply" which focuses on the lack of inclination.

make an attempt to reply

Emphasizes the absence of any attempt to respond.

care to respond

Focuses on a lack of care or interest in replying, a subtle shift from the effort aspect.

take the time to answer

Highlights the time investment aspect of replying, whereas "bother to reply" is broader.

feel inclined to answer

Highlights a lack of willingness or motivation to reply.

deign to respond

Implies a sense of condescension or superiority in replying, adding a layer of meaning not present in "bother to reply".

deem it necessary to respond

Implies a judgment that a response is not required.

see fit to reply

Indicates a lack of perceived obligation or appropriateness in replying.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone doesn't "bother to reply"?

When someone doesn't "bother to reply", it suggests they didn't consider responding important or worth their time. It often implies a lack of respect or interest.

How to use "bother to reply" in a sentence?

You can use "bother to reply" to express frustration or disbelief that someone didn't respond. For example, "I emailed him twice, but he didn't "make the effort to respond"."

What can I say instead of "bother to reply"?

You can use alternatives like "trouble oneself to answer", "care to respond", or "feel inclined to answer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bother to reply" or "bothered to reply"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Bother to reply" implies a general lack of inclination, while "bothered to reply" suggests a past event where someone didn't respond.