reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to respond to a message or question. Example: "Please reply to my email at your earliest convenience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His reply?

The Guardian - Sport

Saudi Arabia was an important ally and economic partner came the muttered reply from No 10, and others.

The Guardian

In Italy, when voters are asked if the country would be better off outside the euro, most Italians usually reply affirmatively.

The Guardian

Although there had been little response to the incident from Clarkson, whose manager and personal assistant refused to return calls on Tuesday evening, the presenter did reply on Twitter to his on-screen partners, Richard Hammond and James May.

The Guardian

MacGregor's reply - also released under the act - is equally surprising, since it betrays the view of a man ground down by the dispute.

The Guardian

According to the press council adjudication, a Corby family supporter complained about the article and Rose claims to have left a message with the Herald denying that the network paid for her to go to Bali, but she received no reply.

The Guardian

David Cameron was more emollient, writing in his reply to Warsi's letter that he realised "this must not have been an easy decision for you to make", and adding: "I understand your strength of feeling on the current crisis in the Middle East – the situation in Gaza is intolerable".

The Guardian

"No, thank you: just tell me where I can get a job," was his prompt reply.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

MacKinnon opened the scoring for the home side after 16 minutes and there was no reply from Saints, who came closest when Steven Anderson was denied by the woodwork in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

In reply to a message sent in September 2011 by adviser Huma Abedin to Clinton's personal email account, which contained an AP story about a drone strike in Pakistan, Clinton mistakenly replied with questions that appear to be about decorations.

The Guardian

Using Siri, drivers will also be able to access messages and have them read aloud, reply via voice, access their contacts on the iPhone and make calls, as well as a variety of other voice commands including music controls.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context when choosing "reply". Alternatives like "respond" or "answer" might be more appropriate in certain situations.

Common error

Avoid using "reply" without specifying what you are replying to. For instance, instead of saying "I will reply later", specify "I will reply to your question later" or "I will reply to your email later."

Linguistic Context

The word "reply" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of responding to a question, request, or statement. It also serves as a noun, referring to the response itself, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "reply" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, denoting the act of responding or the response itself. As affirmed by Ludwig, "reply" is grammatically correct and very common in English, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle contexts. When using "reply", ensure it's followed by the preposition "to" when acting as a verb, and avoid redundancies like "reply back". Consider alternatives like "respond" or "answer" for slight variations in meaning. The high source quality and expert rating underscore its reliability and consistent application across diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond

This is a direct synonym, indicating a reaction or answer to something.

answer

Similar to "reply", but can also refer to solving a problem or question.

respond to

Emphasizes the action of responding in relation to a specific stimulus.

get back to

Indicates a promise to respond at a later time.

comeback

Refers to a quick or witty response, often in an argument or debate.

rejoinder

A formal or legal term for a response, often in writing.

retort

A sharp or angry response, often intended to offend or insult.

acknowledgment

Indicates recognition or confirmation of receipt, not necessarily a full answer.

reaction

A general term for any response or behavior in response to something.

feedback

Information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task etc which is used as a basis for improvement.

FAQs

What's the difference between "reply" and "respond"?

"Reply" and "respond" are often interchangeable, but "reply" typically implies a direct answer to a specific question or message, while "respond" can refer to a broader reaction or action.

What are some synonyms for "reply"?

Synonyms for "reply" include "answer", "respond", "retort", "rejoin", and "rejoinder", depending on the context.

How do I use "reply" in a sentence?

You can use "reply" as a verb (e.g., "She replied to my question") or as a noun (e.g., "I received her reply").

Is it correct to say "reply back"?

While "reply back" is commonly used, it can be considered redundant because "reply" already implies a return action. It's generally better to simply use "reply".