reply in writing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply in writing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting a response to be provided in a written format, rather than verbally or through other means. Example: "Please reply in writing to confirm your attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Microsoft has about two months to reply in writing to the latest statement of objections, but it issued a statement denying any wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Barry Bearak (NYT) INDONESIA: LEADER BALKS IN SCANDAL President Abdurrahman Wahid refused to appear before a parliamentary panel investigating a corruption scandal but said he would reply in writing to any questions.

The New York Times

District court judge Emmet Sullivan said Clinton must reply in writing to questions posed by the group, Judicial Watch, about why she set up a system to conduct state department business, a decision that led to an FBI investigation and has haunted the Democratic nominee's campaign for over a year.

The Guardian

The Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them and the parties can reply in writing and request an oral hearing to present comments.

TechCrunch

These final arguments were meant to be delivered in person during hearings in Toronto, but after the hearings ended in chaos with National Energy Board members literally fleeing from opponents of the pipeline, the NEB permitted Enbridge to put forward its final reply in writing.

Vice

Longacre objected to Patterson that Peale was delaying acceptance of revised double eagle dies, the director did not reply in writing, but met with Longacre, told him the administration had decided to terminate him, and that he should send in his resignation without delay.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Pakistan's politically weakened president, Asif Ali Zardari, replied in writing to a two-page letter that General Jones delivered from Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Leeds' solicitors replied in writing on 5 December, but Weston complained the detail was inadequate, and at the 29 January hearing the judge, deputy bailiff Michael Birt, ordered Leeds to provide further detail.

The Guardian - Sport

A deputy campaign manager for Mr. Weld, who was chief executive of Decker for 10 months last year, replied in writing that Mr. Weld had already urged all employees to disclose any evidence.

The New York Times

I have not heard of a case, at least in my experience, where a broker has replied in writing that they have an obligation to put an investor's interests ahead of their own.

Huffington Post

Media sellers, like television stations, reply, often in writing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a formal response, specify that you require a "reply in writing" to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings. This is especially important in legal or business contexts.

Common error

Do not assume that a request for a 'reply' implies a written response. To avoid ambiguity, always specify "reply in writing" to ensure the response is documented and verifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply in writing" functions as a directive or instruction, specifying the manner in which a response should be given. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is commonly used. It modifies the verb 'reply' to clarify the required format.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reply in writing" is a grammatically correct directive used to specify that a response should be provided in written form. While not extremely common, as per Ludwig's analysis, it's prevalent in news, business, and scientific contexts where documentation and clarity are essential. To ensure there's no ambiguity, especially in formal settings, it's crucial to explicitly request a "reply in writing" rather than assuming a written response. Alternatives include "respond via written communication" or "provide a written response".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond via written communication

Replaces 'reply' with 'respond' and 'in writing' with 'via written communication' for a slightly more formal tone.

provide a written response

Focuses on the act of providing a response in written form, emphasizing the deliverable.

answer in written form

Substitutes 'reply' with 'answer' and uses 'in written form' for a more descriptive approach.

submit a written answer

Emphasizes the submission of a written answer, suitable for formal requests or requirements.

furnish a written reply

Uses more formal vocabulary such as 'furnish' to indicate the provision of a written response.

give a written answer

A more straightforward way of saying to answer in written form.

communicate your response in writing

Highlights the communication of a response through written means.

offer a written reply

Implies a more voluntary action of providing a written response.

put your response in writing

Emphasizes the act of documenting the response in written format.

document your reply

Focuses on the act of documenting the reply, which implies it will be in writing.

FAQs

What does "reply in writing" mean?

The phrase "reply in writing" means to respond to a question, request, or statement by providing a written answer or statement, as opposed to an oral or verbal response.

What can I say instead of "reply in writing"?

You can use alternatives like "respond via written communication", "provide a written response", or "answer in written form" depending on the context.

When should I ask someone to "reply in writing"?

Use "reply in writing" when you need a formal, documented response. This is common in legal matters, official inquiries, or any situation where you require a verifiable record of the communication.

Is it redundant to say "reply in writing"?

While "reply" can sometimes imply a written response, it's not always the case. Specifying "reply in writing" eliminates ambiguity and ensures the responder understands the need for a documented answer.