my reply was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my reply was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a response you provided in a conversation or correspondence. Example: "In response to your question, my reply was that I would need more time to consider the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

My reply was roughly this: "Molly Ivins did not use obscenity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whenever anyone asked me about the services we offered, my reply was, "Of course I can do that".

The New York Times

And my reply was this: the Liberal Democrats are not a party of protest, we are a party of change.

The Guardian

My reply was that God has created us and he is the only one who can judge us.

The Guardian

My reply was that I did not regard it as a moral issue, but as a medical issue.

The Guardian - Film

My reply was clear: they know the world that they want to see, they're just not convinced that those in power share the same vision.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"My reply is, that's right, you can't stop the thoughts.

The New York Times

To that my reply is and will remain unapologetic: I didn't create this awful reality; you did".

The New York Times

My reply is always the same: let history be the judge.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have no trouble answering, and my reply is effective more often than not because it is sincere.

The New York Times - Travel

I probed further: "Is it time to put money back into the market?" My reply is no.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the tense of the verb following "my reply was" aligns with the context of your narrative. Typically, the past tense is used to recount previous conversations or written exchanges.

Common error

Avoid using "my reply was" when summarizing the general content of your response rather than quoting it directly. If you are paraphrasing, use phrases like "I explained that" or "I indicated that" to reflect the indirect nature of the report.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my reply was" functions as a reporting clause, introducing the specific content of a previous response. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It directly indicates that the speaker is about to recount their exact words or the essence of their response to a query or statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my reply was" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a direct response or statement that was previously made. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media for reporting spoken exchanges. When using this phrase, ensure that you're accurately representing the content of your response and adjusting the surrounding language to match the intended level of formality. Remember that alternatives like "I responded that" or "my response was" can be used for similar effect, depending on the desired nuance. This phrase helps maintain clarity and engagement when recounting past conversations or correspondence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my response was that

Uses the noun form "response", slightly more formal.

I responded that

More direct and concise, emphasizing the speaker's action of responding.

I answered that

Similar to "I responded that", but with a focus on providing an answer.

I said in response

Emphasizes the act of speaking in direct response to something.

to that I replied

Inverted sentence structure to emphasize "that".

I rejoined

Suggests a quick reply in conversation.

I countered with

Suggests a debate or argument; implies a contrasting viewpoint.

I came back with

Informal, suggesting a clever or witty response.

my rebuttal was

More formal and confrontational, implying a strong disagreement.

I shot back

Informal and suggests a quick, defensive response.

FAQs

How do I use "my reply was" in a sentence?

Use "my reply was" to introduce a direct quote or a specific statement you made in response to something. For example: "When asked about my plans, "my reply was", "I need more time to consider the options".

What can I say instead of "my reply was"?

You can use alternatives like "I responded that", "my response was that", or "I answered that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "my response was" instead of "my reply was"?

Yes, "my response was" is a grammatically correct alternative. "Reply" and "response" are often interchangeable in this context, though "reply" typically implies a more direct or immediate answer.

What's the difference between "my reply was" and "I explained that"?

"My reply was" introduces a direct quotation of what you said. "I explained that" summarizes the content of your explanation without providing a direct quote. For example: "My reply was, "I cannot accept those terms." versus "I explained that I could not accept those terms".