direct reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"direct reply" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use the phrase "direct reply" to refer to an answer or response that specifically addresses a question or statement. For example, "He didn't give a long-winded explanation, but simply provided a direct reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

No official record exists of any direct reply to Mr. Popper.

The New York Times

"This new rhetoric is a direct reply to Petritsch that they are serious this time," Mr. Avdic said.

The New York Times

The lawsuit filed Monday, in Huntsman's home in Montgomery County, Tex., is not a direct reply to that legal action.

The New York Times

Divide your content into several segments and tweet each in order as a direct reply to the previous tweet.

The Guardian

At a press conference Stevenson refused to give a direct reply about his stand on Taft-Hartley.

The New Yorker

"Unlike some German militarists, you do not favour an alliance with Soviet Russia?" Hitler evaded a direct reply to this question.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

About 90percentt of Mr. Vaynerchuk's tweets are direct replies to people who have written to or about him.

The New York Times - Tech

A woman overseeing the account — the "community manager," as the job is known in this business — said she had been sending direct replies to anyone on Twitter who mentioned the cookie, saying hello, and perhaps sending some product samples, as a representative of the brand.

The New York Times - Tech

Direct replies will serve a couple of purposes on the social network.

TechCrunch

Similar to traditional ad networks, advertisers pay per click, plus retweets and direct replies are considered a free bonus.

TechCrunch

There are a couple of other useful fields you'll see for each sharer, including the number of followers they have, and their reply ratio (% of tweets that are direct replies to someone).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "direct reply" when you want to emphasize the immediacy and relevance of a response to a specific question or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "direct reply" when the response is evasive, tangential, or doesn't genuinely address the initial query. If the answer is ambiguous, choose another term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "direct reply" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig's examples show it describing the nature of a response or lack thereof.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "direct reply" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an immediate, clear, and relevant response to a question or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific papers, and business communications, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "immediate response" or "explicit answer" exist, "direct reply" is a concise and effective choice when emphasizing the straightforward nature of an answer. Avoid using it when the response is vague or evasive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate response

Emphasizes the promptness of the answer.

explicit answer

Highlights the clarity and unambiguity of the response.

straightforward reply

Focuses on the simplicity and directness of the answer.

prompt feedback

Highlights how fast is the reply.

unambiguous answer

Emphasizes the lack of vagueness in the response.

clear response

Indicates the answer is easy to understand.

on-the-spot answer

Conveys the immediacy and lack of preparation in the response.

point-blank answer

Suggests the answer is blunt and without hesitation.

instantaneous feedback

Show the time between the question and the reply.

without hesitation answer

Suggests the immediate nature of the response, implying confidence or certainty.

FAQs

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

You can say, "The manager gave a "direct reply" to the customer's complaint", or "The politician avoided giving a "direct reply" about the controversial issue".

What are some alternatives to "direct reply"?

Consider using alternatives like "immediate response", "explicit answer", or "straightforward reply" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone avoids giving a "direct reply"?

It often indicates that the person is trying to evade the question, is unsure of how to answer, or doesn't want to reveal their true thoughts on the matter.

Is it better to give a "direct reply" or a long explanation?

It depends on the situation. A "direct reply" is best when clarity and conciseness are needed. A longer explanation might be necessary when providing context or detailed information.