perfunctory reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"perfunctory reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to respond in a dull, mechanical, or indifferent way, without any genuine interest or effort. For example: When I asked my boss for a raise, I got a perfunctory reply about how budgets are tight and the company can't afford to give such raises.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Bainbridge's conceit is to carry the gossip into the next generation, with Queeney making perfunctory reply to written inquiries by Hawkins's daughter for yet another book on the Johnson circle.

The New York Times - Books

And apart from a perfunctory reply that the petition had been received, the FDA has yet to respond to the document the groups submitted more than a year ago.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Jobs wrote back within 30 minutes, and though the reply was perfunctory, it still made Mr. Söderlund's day — and then echoed around the world, after he forwarded the exchange to a blog devoted to Apple news.

The New York Times - Tech

When a taxi driver greets his invitation to dinner with a perfunctory "sure, be glad to," Elwood replies with amiable urgency, "When — when would you be glad to?" Elwood means every word he says, and he never says an unkind word.

The New York Times

Her response: a perfunctory "file a ticket".

Huffington Post

Wellington hardly said anything after that, and replied with ill-concealed annoyance, as he kept a perfunctory eye on the compass but picked a cloud to steer by, using the plunging stemhead for a sight.

The New Yorker

During the primary, when a supporter, speaking of Clinton, asked "How do we beat the bitch?" McCain joined in the room's raucous laughter, then replied "That's an excellent question," before composing himself enough to offer some perfunctory words of respect for his putative presidential rival.

The Guardian - Opinion

SERVICE Perfunctory.

The New York Times

There's the perfunctory.

The New York Times - Books

The service is perfunctory.

The New York Times - Travel

SERVICE -- Charmless and perfunctory.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfunctory reply" when you want to emphasize that a response was given without much thought, effort, or enthusiasm. It's suitable for describing interactions where someone is simply going through the motions.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory reply" when the intention is to describe a reply that is intentionally offensive or disrespectful. "Perfunctory" indicates a lack of interest or effort, not necessarily rudeness. A reply can be rude without being perfunctory, and vice versa.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfunctory reply" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "perfunctory" modifies the noun "reply". It describes the quality of the reply, indicating it was done as a matter of routine, without genuine interest or effort. Ludwig's examples show it describing communications lacking sincerity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfunctory reply" is used to describe a response that lacks genuine interest or effort. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intention of describing a superficial or indifferent response, rather than rudeness or intentional disrespect. Alternatives such as "casual reply" or "cursory reply" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfunctory response

Uses 'response' instead of 'reply', a direct synonym with similar connotations.

cursory reply

Substitutes 'perfunctory' with 'cursory', implying a brief and superficial response.

indifferent response

Emphasizes the lack of concern or interest in the reply.

casual reply

Replaces 'perfunctory' with 'casual', suggesting a more relaxed and less formal response.

apathetic reply

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or feeling in the response.

superficial answer

Highlights the lack of depth in the response, using 'superficial' instead of 'perfunctory'.

sketchy reply

Replaces 'perfunctory' with 'sketchy', indicating a vague and incomplete response.

routine answer

Suggests the reply is a standard, unoriginal response given without thought.

abstract reply

Substitutes 'perfunctory' with 'abstract', suggesting a response lacking in concrete details.

brief response

Conveys a quick and concise reply, potentially lacking depth or interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "perfunctory reply" to describe a response that lacks enthusiasm or genuine interest. For example, "I sent an email to customer service and received a "perfunctory reply" that didn't address my concerns."

What's a good substitute for "perfunctory reply"?

Alternatives to "perfunctory reply" include phrases like "casual reply", "cursory reply", or "indifferent response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "perfunctory reply" mean?

A "perfunctory reply" is a response given in a routine or superficial manner, lacking genuine interest or enthusiasm. It suggests that the person replying is simply going through the motions.

Is "perfunctory reply" a formal or informal phrase?

"Perfunctory reply" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it might be more common in slightly more formal writing or speech due to the use of the word "perfunctory".