in reply to which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in reply to which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer back to a previous statement or question, indicating a response to that specific point. Example: "The committee issued a statement, in reply to which several members expressed their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In reply to which, I can only quote John McEnroe: You cannot be serious.

The New Yorker

I sent Bob an enthusiastic thank-you note, in reply to which he informed me that the puffin was not a toy at all but a golf accessory.

The New Yorker

IN NATURE of October 11 (p. 585) two letters appear on this subject, in reply to which a few words may perhaps usefully be said.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And we're totes emosh" Cadbury Creme Egg wrote on Facebook earlier in the week, the top reply to which was "And there's only 5 in a box now there used to b 6".

Independent

The BBC has seen the letters which they sent in reply to Mr Draper, which refer to 20 allegations of child abuse by priests.

BBC

In reply to the question which most directly invited such reassurance has the war been worth the cost in American lives?—the president talked hardly at all about what American policy had achieved.

The Economist

"My mom got more action than me," Leilani said in reply to her tweet, which so far has more than 96,000 retweets.

Huffington Post

And a word from Simon Moore in reply to Thomas Jenkins at 3.18pm (which seems an age ago after the tennis we've witnessed over the past 45 minutes): "Euro/South American blonde spectator cutaway in international football coverage klaxon... .. Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) Feeling like #Djokovic has spent most of his time on the deck in this semi.

The Guardian - Sport

He furthermore took this occasion of airing for the first time the letters which Judge SINCLAIR and he wrote to JAMES BUCHANAN in reply to the letter of Judge BLACK, which was so freely circulated to the world to his prejudice without reply.

The New York Times

Australia A scored 301-7 in reply to England's 386 all out, which included an unbeaten 123 from Heather Knight on day one.

BBC

The Welsh side reached 165-6 in reply to Lancashire's of 698-5 declared which included a county record stand of 501 between Alviro Petersen (286) and Ashwell Prince(261).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in reply to which" primarily in formal writing or when aiming for a sophisticated tone. Ensure the context involves a direct response to a previously stated point.

Common error

Avoid using "in reply to which" in casual conversations or informal writing as it can sound overly stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "in response" or "to which I replied" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in reply to which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. This construction links a response directly to a preceding statement or question, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in reply to which" is a grammatically sound phrase functioning as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in formal writing. While offering a precise way to link a response to a prior statement, it is best suited for formal contexts such as academic papers, scientific publications, and professional communications. Simpler alternatives, like "in response to which", are recommended for informal settings. The phrase's uncommon frequency suggests careful consideration is needed to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in response to which

Replaces "reply" with "response", emphasizing the act of answering.

to which the response was

Rearranges the sentence structure to highlight the response itself.

in answer to which

Substitutes "reply" with "answer", providing a slightly more informal tone.

whereupon the answer was

Uses "whereupon" to indicate a direct consequence or immediate response.

to that the reply was

Uses "that" as a pronoun to refer to the previous statement.

in rebuttal to which

Emphasizes the act of countering or disproving a previous statement.

to which they responded

Changes the perspective to specify the actors involved in the response.

in consideration of which came the reply

Highlights that the answer came after reflecting of the previous statement.

to which the rejoinder was

Replaces 'reply' with 'rejoinder', implying a quick and often witty response.

following which came the answer

Describes the reply as coming after something, implying that there was a delay.

FAQs

How can I use "in reply to which" in a sentence?

Use "in reply to which" to introduce a response or answer to a previous statement or question. For example, "The senator made a claim, in reply to which his opponent provided evidence to the contrary."

What phrases are similar to "in reply to which"?

Similar phrases include "in response to which", "to which the response was", and "in answer to which". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "in reply to which"?

"In reply to which" is suitable for formal writing, academic papers, or legal documents where precision and a sophisticated tone are required. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

Is "in reply to which" interchangeable with "in response to which"?

While similar, "in response to which" might be perceived as slightly more common and less formal than "in reply to which". Both are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning.