reply in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone must respond within a certain timeframe in order to not miss a deadline or keep the conversation flowing smoothly. Some examples of how to use this phrase are: - "Please make sure to reply in time for the meeting tomorrow so we can finalize the agenda." - "I hope you will be able to reply in time to my email so we can discuss the details further." - "It is important to reply in time to the invitation to the event so the organizers can make necessary arrangements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At each turn, she had been gently pressuring him to run the New York City Marathon; Gebrselassie would always respond with the same smile and vague reply: in time.

The New York Times - Sports

If the receiver did not reply in time, the request is withdrawn and continues to probe to the next candidate.

Computational Social Networks

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

No one replied in time.

Vice

Mr. Gore replied in time-tested Democratic fashion: "I don't think private schools should have a right to take taxpayer money away from public schools".

The New York Times

"People often think we're lazy, because we haven't had the capacity to be transparent, to reply in real time or according to other characteristics of the apps we saw today; we haven't had the capacity to respond to the citizen," committee chair and congressman Ruben Felix Hays said in remarks reflecting on the event.

HuffPost

Spassky, on the brink of disaster, "found miraculous replies while in time pressure" and Fischer was only able to achieve a draw by threefold repetition after 43 moves.

Wikipedia

However Burton forced a reply in added-time when a Phil Edwards long throw bounced kindly for Kee who fired home.

BBC

Yet the memory of those pensive chords stayed with me: a wordless message, an ambiguous reply, drifting backward in time.

The New Yorker

Dear Robbie, I hope this reply reaches you in time; the new academic year is only a few weeks away, so I'm sure you've been put under pressure to make your choice.

Science Magazine

Marvin Sordell added a second two minutes before half-time after a defensive mix-up, before Oxford's substitute Dan Crowley replied in stoppage time.

The Guardian - Sport

Pablo Hernandez replied in stoppage time for Leeds.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a response, provide a specific deadline to encourage recipients to "reply in time". This clarifies expectations and increases the likelihood of receiving a timely answer.

Common error

Avoid using ambiguous phrases like "as soon as possible" when you need someone to "reply in time". Instead, specify a concrete date and time to prevent misunderstandings and delays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action (replying) should occur within a certain timeframe. As Ludwig AI explains, it typically indicates that someone must respond within a certain timeframe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reply in time" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize the importance of a prompt response, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While suitable for a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business communication, it's most effective when paired with a specific deadline to clarify expectations. Alternatives like "respond promptly" or "provide a timely response" can add nuance to your message. Remember that vague expressions for time should be avoided for accuracy and precision. Overall, "reply in time" is a useful phrase for requesting timely action in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond promptly

Emphasizes speed and immediacy in the response.

answer quickly

Highlights the swiftness of the reply.

get back to someone soon

Focuses on the quick return of communication.

meet the deadline for a reply

Stresses the importance of adhering to a specific timeframe.

reply without delay

Indicates the absence of postponement in responding.

provide a timely response

Highlights the appropriateness of the response in relation to the time.

answer before the cutoff

Specifies the action of replying before a specific limit.

don't delay in responding

Highlights the importance of not postponing the response.

ensure a prompt response

Focuses on assuring a fast reply.

answer expediently

Stresses the quickness of the response while being efficient.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "reply in time"?

You can politely ask someone to "reply in time" by saying something like, "Could you please "respond promptly" so that we can move forward with the project?" or "Please "let me know by" [date] if you're available."

What's a more formal way to say "reply in time"?

A more formal way to say "reply in time" is to request a "timely response" or to ask that they "respond expeditiously".

What are some common scenarios where it's important to "reply in time"?

It's important to "reply in time" when confirming attendance for an event, meeting a deadline for submitting documents, or responding to urgent requests that require immediate attention. Missing these opportunities will have negative consequences.

Is there a difference between "reply in time" and "respond immediately"?

"Reply in time" means responding within a reasonable or specified timeframe, while "respond immediately" implies an instant reaction. "Reply in time" allows for some flexibility, whereas "respond immediately" suggests urgency.