fail to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of response or communication from someone. Example: "If you fail to reply to my email, I will assume you are not interested in the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Will she fail to reply to a tweet from Caitlyn Jenner and thus spark a civil war between radical feminists and the trans community?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If they fail to reply to the SMS or do not answer the phone the following day, they are sent a letter requesting contact.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

When you fail to reply to the inquiries and needs of your bosses and co-workers, they may approach somebody else with their request or assign the project to another co-worker.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Detectives failed to reply.

The Guardian

She started but failed to reply.

The New Yorker

Respondent failed to reply to this criticism.

Harvard University

The delivery firm has failed to reply.

The Guardian - Money

Lidl, Iceland and Spar failed to reply.

The Guardian

But Thompson, it appears, failed to reply.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jinkis failed to reply for requests to comment.

The Guardian

The Eappens won the civil suit when Ms. Woodward failed to reply to the original complaint.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to reply", consider the context to determine if it implies negligence, oversight, or intentional avoidance. The choice of words can affect the tone and interpretation of your message.

Common error

While "fail to reply" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "did not respond" or "neglected to answer" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to reply" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of response or communication. It often implies an expectation of a response that was not fulfilled. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to reply" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general writing. While versatile, its use should be carefully considered in formal settings, where alternatives like "did not respond" might be more appropriate. When using "fail to reply", be mindful of the potential implications of neglect or unmet expectations. The frequency analysis indicates its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, with authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times providing numerous examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not respond

Direct synonym focusing on the absence of a response.

did not send a response

A more descriptive and explicit way of saying there was no reply.

neglect to answer

Implies a lack of attention or care in responding.

not get back to

Indicates a failure to return with a response at a later time.

omit to reply

Suggests an intentional or unintentional leaving out of a reply.

missed responding

Suggests that a response opportunity was missed.

not acknowledge

Highlights the lack of recognition or acceptance of a communication.

be unresponsive

Describes a general state of not being reactive or communicative.

remain unanswered

Focuses on the state of the query not receiving a response.

ignore the message

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to respond.

FAQs

What does "fail to reply" mean?

The phrase "fail to reply" means someone did not respond or answer a question, message, or request.

How can I use "fail to reply" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a lack of response, such as: "The company "failed to reply" to our inquiry."

What are some alternatives to "fail to reply"?

Alternatives include "not respond", "neglect to answer", or "omit to reply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fail to reply" or "did not reply"?

"Did not reply" is often more direct and neutral, while "fail to reply" can imply a sense of obligation or expectation that was not met. The better choice depends on the specific context.