first reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial response in a conversation or correspondence. Example: "I appreciate your first reply to my email; it helped clarify my questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

My first reply came in minutes.

The New York Times

When Dr. Rice asked him what should be done, what was his first reply?

The New York Times

In fact, when I ask what makes him happy, his partner is not the first reply.

The Guardian

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," was the first reply.

The Guardian

Dyke doubts the FA's issues will be resolved by Fifa's first reply but said the organisation is prepared to wait.

The Guardian - Sport

I asked him why his first reply was: 'How old is he?' Which indicates it hadn't really been a consideration.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"No," the first replied.

The New York Times

The first replies: "Oh, I know that one.

The Guardian

He first replies to everything that will take two minutes or less.

The New York Times

Then there was Joe, the man who first replied; he was aggressively flirtatious.

The New York Times

Within an hour of my sending out the first, replies began to come in.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "first reply" to clearly indicate the chronological order of responses. For example, "The "first reply" was helpful, but subsequent responses provided more detail."

Common error

Avoid using "first reply" when you mean the only reply. "First reply" implies there were or will be other replies. If it's the sole response, use "only reply" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first reply" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes the initial response in a sequence of communications, marking chronological order, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first reply" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the initial response in a communication exchange. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral tone adaptable to various settings. When using "first reply", ensure it appropriately indicates the chronological order of responses and isn't mistakenly used when referring to the only reply. Consider alternatives like "initial response" or "first answer" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial response

This alternative replaces "reply" with "response", emphasizing the act of responding initially.

primary response

Here, "primary" indicates the first and foremost response.

first answer

This option substitutes "reply" with "answer", focusing on the content of the initial response.

preliminary answer

Using "preliminary" suggests an early or initial answer, possibly not definitive.

opening response

This choice highlights the response as the one that opens a dialogue or exchange.

starting answer

This alternative focuses on the answer that starts a conversation.

original response

This phrase uses "original" to highlight that it's the very first response.

initial retort

This alternative uses "retort", implying a sharp or witty first response.

inaugural response

This option offers a more formal and emphatic way to indicate the initial response.

commencement response

Similar to "inaugural response", it emphasizes the beginning of a series of responses.

FAQs

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

You can use "first reply" to indicate the initial response in a conversation or exchange. For example: "Her "first reply" was a simple 'Yes'."

What's a synonym for "first reply"?

Synonyms for "first reply" include "initial response", "first answer", or "original response", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the first reply came immediately"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "first reply" is commonly used to indicate the timing or source of the initial response. For example: "The "first reply" came immediately after the question was posted."

What's the difference between "first reply" and "second reply"?

"First reply" refers to the initial response, while "second reply" indicates the subsequent response in a series of communications. If you are looking for more information about the other responses you can search "second reply".