extensive reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"extensive reply" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone has asked you a question or made a comment that you want to respond to in detail. For example, you could say, "Thank you for your comprehensive question. I will provide an extensive reply in the following paragraphs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

[Author's Response] I provide an extensive reply to this point with Reviewer 3.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The book was almost as well known to its academic audience before its publication as after: Parfit had circulated sections in draft form to hundreds of colleagues in order to address potential criticisms in the final version (the second volume includes lengthy commentaries by four other philosophers and Parfit's extensive replies).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Patients can send as many questions as they want by e-mail and will receive extensive replies quickly from physicians.

Forbes

The questionnaires consisted mainly of quantitative and categorical answering options, but also some open questions with the opportunity to comment and give more extensive replies.

BMC Medical Education

However, the response patterns of all other care managers were more varied, and many care managers provided extensive replies to the open question on the implementation problems they expected.

BMC Health Services Research

When I applied, the commercialisation of the technology was still in its infancy – and little had been written about it except in academic papers – so I had to do some extensive online research before replying to the ad to ensure that I submitted the best application possible.

The Guardian

Since 1970, LI has been capturing the excitement of contemporary debate in the field not only by publishing full-scale articles but also by publishing shorter contributions (squibs and discussions) and more extensive commentary (remarks and replies).

Johns Hopkins University

"We've got an extensive list of targets," he replied.

The New York Times

In some cases, these replies are quite extensive.

SEP

At no point during her interrogation or during the trial did she explain her actions, only replying "no comment" to extensive police questioning.

Wikipedia

When a reporter asked one of the courted staffers why the Obama campaign was interested, he replied he and his team "have extensive experience working for an incumbent with terrible approval ratings while campaigning against a flip-flopper from Massachusetts".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extensive reply" when you want to emphasize that your answer or response is thorough and covers all aspects of the question or topic.

Common error

Avoid using "extensive reply" in informal conversations where a simple, direct answer is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your communication sound overly formal or even pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive reply" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'extensive' is an adjective modifying the noun 'reply'. According to Ludwig, it describes the nature of the reply as being thorough and detailed. Examples show its use in academic, news, and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extensive reply" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a thorough and detailed response. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is primarily used in formal contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the comprehensiveness of a response. For alternative phrasing, consider using "comprehensive answer" or "detailed response". When aiming for precision and completeness in communication, "extensive reply" is a suitable choice, but remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive answer

Replaces 'reply' with 'answer', suggesting a complete response.

detailed response

Synonymous replacement, focusing on the level of detail.

thorough explanation

Shifts from a direct response to a more in-depth clarification.

elaborate answer

Emphasizes the complexity and detail of the answer.

full response

Indicates that all aspects of the question are addressed.

exhaustive explanation

Highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the explanation.

in-depth answer

Focuses on the depth and detail provided in the answer.

complete explanation

Suggests that the explanation covers all necessary information.

substantial response

Implies a response of considerable size and detail.

lengthy reply

Highlights the length and detail of the reply.

FAQs

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

You can use "extensive reply" to describe a detailed and thorough response. For example, "The author provided an "extensive reply" to the reviewer's comments." Alternatively, you can use "detailed response" or "comprehensive answer".

What's the difference between "extensive reply" and "detailed reply"?

While both phrases suggest a thorough answer, "extensive reply" implies a broader scope and coverage, while "detailed reply" focuses more on the level of minutiae. You might use "extensive reply" when addressing many points, and "detailed reply" when focusing on specific aspects.

Which is more formal, "extensive reply" or "long reply"?

"Extensive reply" is generally more formal than "long reply". "Extensive" suggests a comprehensive and well-considered response, whereas "long" simply refers to the length.

Are there situations where "extensive reply" might not be appropriate?

Yes, in informal conversations or situations where brevity is preferred, using "extensive reply" could sound overly formal or verbose. A simpler "full response" or a straightforward answer would be more suitable.