got a reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"got a reply" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you have received a response from someone or when you are asking someone if they have received a response. For example: "Did you get a reply from the company yet?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It got a reply.

The New York Times

But I never got a reply.

The New Yorker

He never got a reply.

The Guardian

He got a reply as well.

The Guardian - Books

Six days later, she got a reply.

The New Yorker

So far as is known, he never got a reply.

The New York Times

A few days later, I got a reply.

The New Yorker

It just said: 'Thatcher dead.' And I got a reply".

The Guardian

Most of the time, Michael never got a reply.

The New Yorker

Also, pls let me know if you got a reply from my ipad.

The Guardian

I've reached out to a few of them and not got a reply.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got a reply" in contexts where the tone is neutral to informal. For formal settings, consider "received a response".

Common error

Avoid using "got a reply" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "received a response" or "obtained an answer" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got a reply" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that someone received a response to their communication. According to Ludwig AI, this is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got a reply" is a common and acceptable phrase used to indicate that a response has been received. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it suitable for general communication and news reporting. For more formal settings, alternatives like "received a response" are more appropriate. The phrase is widely used across numerous reputable sources, with a high prevalence in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got a response

Synonymous and widely interchangeable.

received a response

More formal alternative, suitable for professional communication.

heard back from

More informal and indicates any form of communication in return.

obtained an answer

Slightly more formal and implies a direct question was answered.

response was received

Passive voice; emphasizes the response itself.

secured a reply

Emphasizes effort in obtaining the response.

managed to get a response

Highlights the difficulty in obtaining the reply.

elicited a response

More formal; suggests the response was drawn out or caused.

was answered

Focuses on the action of being answered rather than receiving.

the answer came

Poetic and less direct way of expressing the response.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "got a reply"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "received a response" or "obtained an answer".

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

You can use "got a reply" to indicate that you received a response after sending a message, like "I sent an email and I "got a reply" within a few hours".

What does it mean to say someone "got a reply"?

It means that the person received a response to a question, message, or request they sent to someone.

Is "got a reply" the same as "received a response"?

While they have similar meanings, "got a reply" is less formal. "Received a response" is better suited for professional or academic settings.