forthright reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forthright reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a response that is direct, honest, and straightforward. Example: "I appreciate your forthright reply regarding the project's status; it helps us make informed decisions moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An unnamed Sweaty Betty spokeswoman gave me a more forthright reply: "We have taken your feedback on board and will definitely try to have broader representation of ethnicities over the next few campaigns".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

These are appropriately forthright words.

Huffington Post

Carter, always lovably forthright, replied that the person who wrote that "put her finger on my weakest spot, which is a tendency to a batty kind of whimsicality".

The New Yorker

Their reply was forthright and confident, with Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva adding 108 for the first wicket before Steven Finn, a little fortuitously, dismissed the former for 50, caught down the legside by a tumbling Bairstow as he tried to turn the ball to fine leg.

The Guardian - Sport

My friend's response is forthright.

The Guardian

Wilson's response was equally forthright.

The Guardian

A lawyer for Milbank, Stephen Blauner, replied that the firm had been forthright about its Enron work.

The New York Times

But, when the Marshall Plan was enacted, the Times headline was forthright about its anti-Soviet purpose: "AID BILL IS SIGNED BY TRUMAN AS REPLY TO FOES OF LIBERTY".

The New Yorker

All are commendably forthright.

The New York Times

He's very forthright.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jane" is more forthright.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forthright reply" when you want to convey that someone has provided a direct, honest, and unambiguous answer, especially in situations where clarity is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "forthright reply" in casual conversations where a more relaxed and less formal tone is appropriate. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "direct answer" or "honest response".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forthright reply" functions as a noun phrase where "forthright" modifies "reply". It's used to describe the quality of the response, indicating it's direct and honest, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forthright reply" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English used to describe a direct and honest response. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While relatively rare, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, signaling a neutral level of formality. When aiming for clarity and directness, "forthright reply" serves well, though it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct response

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of ambiguity in the answer.

honest answer

Highlights the truthfulness and sincerity of the response.

straightforward reply

Emphasizes the simplicity and clarity of the answer, avoiding complexity.

candid response

Suggests a frank and open answer, even if potentially sensitive.

frank answer

Implies a blunt and unapologetic response.

unvarnished reply

Highlights the lack of embellishment or sugarcoating in the answer.

plainspoken answer

Emphasizes clarity and simplicity in the response, avoiding jargon.

explicit response

Focuses on the clarity and unambiguity of the answer.

unequivocal reply

Emphasizes the absence of doubt or reservation in the answer.

outspoken answer

Implies a bold and unreserved response, possibly controversial.

FAQs

What does "forthright reply" mean?

A "forthright reply" is a direct, honest, and unambiguous answer, often implying a lack of hesitation or evasion.

When is it appropriate to use the term "forthright reply"?

It's appropriate in situations where you want to emphasize the directness and honesty of a response, particularly in professional or formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "forthright reply"?

You can use alternatives like "direct response", "honest answer", or "straightforward reply" depending on the context.

Is "forthright reply" a formal expression?

Yes, "forthright reply" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "direct answer" or "straight answer".