receive a reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "receive a reply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where someone has written to someone else and is expecting a response. For example, "I emailed my professor yesterday to ask a question, but I still haven't received a reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are yet to receive a reply.

Independent

They didn't receive a reply.

The Guardian - Books

A subsequent email didn't receive a reply.

The Washington Post

He has yet to receive a reply.

The Guardian

They did not receive a reply.

The New York Times

I have yet to receive a reply.

The Guardian

It did not receive a reply.

The Guardian

I have yet to receive a reply to my letter.

Independent

The Guardian approached Jackson but did not receive a reply.

The Guardian

I have yet to receive a reply," she said.

The Guardian

"I have yet to receive a reply," he noted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "receive a reply" when you specifically want to indicate that a written response is expected or has been received.

Common error

Avoid assuming an instant response. Business correspondence might need one or two business days for a reply, depending on the recipient's availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive a reply" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of getting a response to a communication. Ludwig's examples show it being used in both past (received) and present (receive) tenses, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "receive a reply" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that denotes the act of getting a response, typically in written form, to a message or inquiry. According to Ludwig, the phrase is found across diverse contexts, most prominently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When composing an email make sure that you will "get a response"!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a response

Focuses more generally on obtaining any kind of response, not specifically a written reply.

obtain an answer

Implies receiving a solution or clarification to a question.

hear back from someone

A more informal way of saying you received communication.

get feedback

Specifically refers to receiving comments or critique.

be answered

Passive voice construction implying a response will be provided.

secure a reply

Implies effort was put into getting a reply.

elicit a response

Suggests the initial communication was designed to provoke a response.

acquire an answer

A more formal synonym for obtaining an answer.

find out

Emphasizes the act of discovering information, which could come in the form of a reply.

learn the answer

Similar to 'find out', stressing the acquisition of knowledge through a reply.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "receive a reply"?

You can use alternatives like "get a response", "obtain an answer", or "hear back from someone" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "receive a reply" or "get a reply"?

"Receive a reply" is slightly more formal than "get a reply". "Receive" generally implies a more passive action of acquiring something, while "get" can imply a more active effort.

How long should I wait before following up if I don't "receive a reply"?

The appropriate follow-up time depends on the context. For professional emails, waiting 2-3 business days is common. For less formal communication, a shorter wait may be appropriate.

What does it mean if I didn't "receive a reply"?

It could mean several things, including that the recipient is busy, the message was missed, or the recipient doesn't intend to respond. Consider the sender's role and usual activity to decide when to send a follow up message.