reply on how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply on how" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "reply on how to" or "reply about how" to convey the intended meaning. Example: "Please reply on how to proceed with the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The first person I talked to was a young woman who had written to you and received a thoughtful reply on how to make yourself happy.

The New Yorker

Those who want to place a complex parlay, or multiple-team wager, can call one of the Web site's clerks, instead of him, to get an immediate reply on how much that bet will pay out if it wins.

The New York Times - Sports

The FCC is seeking input for 60 days — that's the figure I've seen reported a number of times, a period that will be followed by 57 days of reply — on how best to proceed to protect the Internet, including the potential to regulate Internet as a utility.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After that you send a text message to the Child Count and after the message it replies you on how you can treat the child and most likely if it is one line you do not treat you have to refer the child to the hospital because you do not know what disease the child has.' (Sauri CHW Interview number 1) 'If two lines are indicated (on the RDT) the child has malaria.

Human Resources for Health

After that you send a text message to the Child Count and after the message it replies you on how you can treat the child and most likely if it is one line you do not treat you have to refer the child to the hospital because you do not know what disease the child has.' (Sauri CHW Interview number 1) The WHO recommends that CHWs receive payment for their work or appropriate incentives [ 31, 32].

Human Resources for Health

Asked if he watched Grylls' shows for tips, Mears laughed, replying: "Yes – on how not to make television programmes!

Independent

Dr. Blumber replied: "It depends on how you define 'impulsive.' I'm trying to communicate that his behavior was controlled and dictated by Muhammad".

The New York Times

Reply 2: That depends on how connecting with him will benefit me.

The Guardian - Tech

Asked if he felt the sledging had been counter-productive, Samuels replied: "It all depends on how the morning goes... Marlon Samuels 150, Ben Stokes with the ball in his hand.

BBC

A hypothesis for this difference could be given by the replies to the question on how to remove the piercing and the tattoo: procedures for removing a tattoo are more invasive than those for removing the piercing.

BMC Public Health

Ms Foley said they received emails from their son's captors but were given little guidance on how to reply, saying: "We were left as a family to write the emails.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a method or action to be performed, always follow "reply on how" with "to" (e.g., "reply on how to proceed"). This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid omitting "to" after "how" when describing a method or action. Saying "reply on how proceed" is grammatically incorrect. Always include "to" for proper phrasing (e.g., "reply on how to proceed").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply on how" typically functions as part of a larger phrase, often aiming to integrate an explanation of a method or process. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase requires an addition (typically "to") to be considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the expression "reply on how" appears across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific literature, and wikis, it doesn't meet standard English grammar criteria without adding the preposition "to". Ludwig AI underscores this point. To ensure accuracy, always phrase it as "reply on how to". Alternatives such as "respond regarding how to" and "answer concerning how to" offer more formal and grammatically sound options. Understanding this subtle nuance helps in crafting clear and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond regarding how to

This alternative is more formal and adds 'to' for grammatical correctness.

answer concerning how to

This uses "answer" instead of "reply" and adds 'to' for better grammar. It also replaces 'regarding' for 'concerning'.

provide feedback on how to

This alternative uses "provide feedback" and adds 'to' to express a more detailed response.

give instructions on how to

This suggests providing direct instructions rather than a general response.

explain the method to

This focuses on explaining a specific method rather than simply replying.

detail the process for

This alternative emphasizes a detailed explanation of a process.

offer guidance on how to

Focuses on guidance, implying support and advice.

advise on the best way to

Implies giving professional advice.

share insights into how to

Highlights sharing of deep understanding and perspectives.

clarify the steps for

This emphasizes clarifying a series of steps.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "reply on how" in a sentence?

While the phrase "reply on how" is often considered grammatically incorrect, you can correct it by adding 'to', creating the phrase "reply on how to". For example, instead of "He didn't reply on how I should do it", say "He didn't "reply on how to" do it".

What are some alternatives to "reply on how"?

Alternatives include "respond regarding how to", "answer concerning how to", or "provide feedback on how to". The best option depends on the specific context of your sentence.

Why is "reply on how" considered incorrect?

In standard English, "reply on how" lacks the necessary preposition "to" when indicating a method or action. Adding "to" after "how" makes the phrase grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "reply on how to" and "reply about how to"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "reply on how to" is more direct and specific. "Reply about how to" is slightly more general and can be used when discussing the method more broadly, for example "The article is a "reply about how to" manage your finances properly".