failed to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not respond to a message or request. Example: "Despite several attempts to reach out, she failed to reply to my emails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Detectives failed to reply.

The Guardian

She started but failed to reply.

The New Yorker

Lidl, Iceland and Spar failed to reply.

The Guardian

The delivery firm has failed to reply.

The Guardian - Money

But Thompson, it appears, failed to reply.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jinkis failed to reply for requests to comment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 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

And then, a little humorously: "Where you get that word nigger from?" The reporter fails to reply, but Marley has successfully defused the situation himself.

The Guardian - Music

In the event that she fails to reply with a "yes," I will conclude that fine dining isn't her thing, and instead invite her to cruise around Manhattan with me on a private yacht while giving me blow jobs.

The New Yorker

I'm like, well if you are making some laws anyway, I know Alexa hates cronuts and Mummy is so bored of people who won't RSVP, he's like, OK, cronuts will be banned for poisoning our national life, that is Alexa's Law, and anyone who fails to reply to invitations in a timely fashion will have their passport confiscated for an indefinite period, do you think Mummy's Law or Annabel's is better?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If a public authority fails to reply to an FOI request by the legal time limit, then it may be penalised by having to pay a fine for every day it is late, with the money involved going to the requester, at a rate of 30 euros a day up to a maximum of 1260 euros.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to reply" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone did not respond to a message, request, or inquiry. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

In very casual conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "didn't answer" or "didn't get back to me" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to reply" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of response. It is commonly used to describe situations where a person or entity did not provide an answer or acknowledgement. As seen in Ludwig, this expression is widely accepted and understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to reply" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone did not respond to a communication. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though simpler alternatives may be preferred in very casual settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, but also appears regularly in scientific literature and on wikis. When using "failed to reply", ensure it aligns with the tone and register of your writing, and consider whether a more direct or informal alternative might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not respond

A direct synonym, simply stating the absence of a response.

gave no answer

Focuses on the absence of an answer being provided.

remained silent

Emphasizes the lack of any verbal or written communication.

did not acknowledge

Highlights the lack of recognition or acknowledgment of a message or request.

ignored the message

Implies a deliberate choice not to respond.

did not get back to

An informal way of saying someone did not respond in a timely manner.

left unanswered

Indicates that a question or request was not addressed.

offered no response

Similar to "gave no answer", but slightly more formal.

neglected to answer

Suggests a lack of attention or diligence in responding.

was unresponsive

Describes someone's general lack of willingness or ability to respond.

FAQs

What does "failed to reply" mean?

The phrase "failed to reply" means that someone did not respond to a message, question, or request. It indicates a lack of communication or acknowledgment.

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

You can use "failed to reply" in a sentence like this: "The company "did not respond" to our inquiry," or "He "gave no answer" to my email after a week."

What are some alternatives to "failed to reply"?

Some alternatives to "failed to reply" include "did not respond", "gave no answer", "remained silent", or "did not acknowledge" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "failed to reply" or "did not reply"?

"Failed to reply" and "did not reply" are often interchangeable. "Failed to reply" might imply a stronger sense of expectation or obligation to respond, while "did not reply" is a more neutral statement. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.