finally replying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finally replying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is responding after a delay or after a series of previous communications. Example: "After weeks of waiting, I am finally replying to your email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pannu said: "I got an e-mail from Aston Villa, finally replying to all of our queries.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Who?" she finally replied.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes," I finally replied.

The New York Times - Travel

"Idiot," John William finally replies.

The New York Times - Books

"He makes me cry," I finally replied.

The New York Times

"No, I can't," I finally replied.

The New York Times

"We know Kathy very well," the Breadman finally replied.

The New Yorker

Baylor's lead reached 11 before the Jackrabbits finally replied.

The New York Times - Sports

After a long silence, she finally replied: "Yes; and no".

The Guardian - Books

"It was very peaceful," he finally replied "I have brought you what was left".

The New Yorker

"He knows what that means," Crittendon finally replied, indicating Morales with his chin.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when using "finally replying". It can sometimes imply impatience or frustration, so ensure it aligns with the intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "finally replying" in contexts where the delay is not significant or expected. Overusing "finally" can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finally replying" functions as an adverbial modifier emphasizing the timing of the verb 'replying'. It denotes that the action of replying has occurred after a period of waiting or previous attempts, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finally replying" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, signifying a response that occurs after a delay. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s most commonly found in news and media contexts, and it serves to emphasize the temporal aspect of communication. While it’s a relatively rare phrase, alternatives like "eventually responding" or "replying at last" can be used for variety. Use this phrase when you want to highlight the time elapsed before a response was given, but avoid overusing it to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finally responding to

A direct synonym replacing "replying" with "responding".

eventually responding

Focuses on the eventual nature of the response, similar to "finally replying" but replacing the adverb.

responding at last

Highlights the relief or satisfaction that a response has been received after waiting.

answering belatedly

Emphasizes that the response is late or delayed.

replying after a delay

Directly states the presence of a delay before the response.

replying in the end

Highlights the conclusion of a period before the response.

getting back to someone eventually

A more conversational way to indicate a delayed response.

ultimately answering

Stresses the end result of answering after some preceding actions or time.

returning the message eventually

Highlights the returning of a message, but with some delay.

acknowledging at last

Focuses on acknowledgement instead of a full reply, implying a basic response after a wait.

FAQs

What does "finally replying" mean?

It means responding after a significant delay or after previous attempts to elicit a response. It implies that the response was expected or desired but did not occur promptly.

What can I say instead of "finally replying"?

You can use alternatives like "eventually responding", "responding at last", or "answering belatedly" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "finally replying"?

Use it when you want to emphasize the delay in a response and the sense of resolution or closure that comes with it. It's suitable when the delay was noteworthy or unexpected.

How does "finally replying" differ from simply "replying"?

"Replying" is a neutral term indicating a response. "Finally replying" adds the element of time and expectation, highlighting that the response occurred after a wait.