give a reply to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give a reply to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone should respond to a question or statement. Example: "Please give a reply to my email as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the message is proved correctly, S sends the feedback information which contains the session keys to node B, such as KAB between node A and node B and KBS between node S and node B. Node B sends the message which includes KAB to A, and A gives a reply to node B after receiving and confirming it correctly.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The secretary's statement made clear that Washington was eager to hear from the North Koreans, who have yet to give a formal reply to the administration's offer.

The New York Times

Well, it would be nice to have another wedding, and at least it would allow one to give a sharper reply to the surprising number of strangers who correct you when you say "my husband" rather than "my civil partner".

Independent

It was an uphill task for England to give a fitting reply to India's mammoth score.

The New York Times

India's home minister has made it clear that his government will give a "befitting reply" to Pakistan for any ceasefire violations, while the defense minister asked the army to "retaliate with double the force".

Vice

Edward Thomas, the delegation's chairman, merely promised to "hold a consultation and in a short time give an answer," to which Lincoln replied: "Take your full time — no hurry at all".

The New York Times

The worst thing that can happen with this connection fee is, when the card buyer makes the call and either the answering machine gives a reply or the call is routed to a voice mailbox, the connection fee is charged even though the customer has not really uttered even a single word.

WikiHow

Whichever way you look at it, you have to admit: giving a befitting reply to misguided youth whose fissiparous tendencies threaten the national interest sounds a lot jollier than "war on terror".

The New York Times

MEXICO CITY, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Mexico on Thursday expressed "worry and irritation" about U.S. policies to two of President Donald Trump's top envoys, giving a chilly reply to the new administration's hard line on immigration, trade and security.

Huffington Post

"We're capable of giving a fitting reply to the enemy nation," Mr. Modi said in a recorded message on Tuesday, presumably referring to Pakistan.

The New York Times

Mr. Orban said that when asked whether expansion of the bloc was in its interest, "the heads of the member states are not giving a clear reply to this question".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give a reply to", consider the context and register. While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "reply to" or "respond to" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "give a reply to" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "A reply was given to the email", write "She replied to the email."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a reply to" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the act of providing an answer or response to a question, request, or statement. Though grammatically sound, it is often replaceable with more concise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give a reply to" is grammatically correct but can be replaced by more concise alternatives like "reply to" or "respond to". While understandable in most contexts, it may sound somewhat wordy in informal settings. When choosing whether to use "give a reply to", consider the context and whether a simpler alternative would be more effective. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply to

A more concise and direct way of saying "give a reply to".

respond to

Focuses on the act of answering or reacting to something.

provide a response to

More formal and emphasizes the provision of an answer.

offer a response to

Suggests a thoughtful and considered reply.

answer

Implies a direct response to a question or inquiry.

furnish a reply to

Very formal and suggests a complete and detailed answer.

address

Suggests dealing with a question or issue directly.

react to

Broader than answering, it indicates a response or action as a result of something.

acknowledge

Focuses on recognizing receipt of a message or inquiry, often implying a response will follow.

get back to

Indicates a promise to respond at a later time.

FAQs

What is a more concise way to say "give a reply to"?

A simpler alternative is to just use "reply to", which is more direct and commonly used.

When is it appropriate to use "give a reply to" instead of just "answer"?

While "answer" is a direct and simple response, "give a reply to" can be used when you want to emphasize the act of providing a formal or considered response. However, "answer" is generally suitable for most situations.

What's the difference between "give a reply to" and "provide a response to"?

"Give a reply to" and "provide a response to" are quite similar, but "provide a response to" is often used in more formal or professional contexts. "Give a reply to" is slightly less formal.

Is "give a reply to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "give a reply to" is grammatically correct, though it can sometimes sound a bit wordy. Simpler alternatives like "respond to" or "reply to" might be preferred for brevity.