reply on time

USAGE SUMMARY

"reply on time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to responding to an email, message, or other request in a timely manner. For example, "Make sure to reply on time if you get an email from your boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Jess Phillips's reply on Question Time suffered from over-compression, but she was clearly trying to make a legitimate point, that violence and harassment against women and girls is sadly not exceptional or limited to one group or type of perpetrator or to one situation," Mayer said.

The Guardian

If you make that as much of your job as replying to emails on time, you'll always be relevant and your business will be successful.

Forbes

If I trust someone to spot me when I've got a few hundred pounds hovering above my chest, chances are I'm bullish on them replying to emails on time.

Forbes

Kirsipuu's was no soft win, though: as the fastest sprinter, the onus fell on him to reply each time one of the other four flew away in the finale, but he proved up to the task and the reward was the third stage win of his career and vindication for the presence of his AG2R team in the race.

The Guardian - Sport

Keep up the correspondence you have with people, RSVP to events on time, reply to letters or emails you receive if it called for it.

WikiHow

No one replied in time.

Vice

"I have an extremely aggressive position on price gouging," the congresswoman replied to Times reporters Greg Miller and Edmund Sanders.

Los Angeles Times

Two fans in the front row hand-wrote signs: "You Just Lost One," "This Is Insulting". One of the keyboard players taped a reply on his kit: "I Was on Time". When Ms. Hill finally took the stage a little after midnight — a few minutes after arriving at the club and getting carried over piles of snow on the street, one witness reported — she was primed for a fight.

The New York Times - Arts

Asked in 2009 if he still thought the film was a worthy Cannes winner, Tarantino replied: "As time has gone on, I have put that decision under a microscope and I still think we were right," he said.

The Guardian - Film

"Ooh, in that case," he replied, "I better get you there on time!" So it has been a shock to the rarefied system of Ms. Truss, 48, that her book "Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation," has become this year's surprise No. 1 best seller here.

The New York Times - Books

You'll reply next time you go on.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When corresponding in professional settings, prioritize a "reply on time" to maintain efficiency and demonstrate respect for others' schedules.

Common error

Avoid sacrificing clarity for speed. While it’s important to "reply on time", ensure your response is well-considered and addresses the inquiry thoroughly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply on time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing of an action (replying). Ludwig examples show it used in contexts emphasizing punctuality in communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

20%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reply on time" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing the importance of timely responses, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not extremely frequent, its usage spans across various contexts including news, wikis, and formal communications. To ensure effective communication, it's important to "reply on time" without sacrificing clarity and thoroughness in your responses. When aiming for similar meanings, consider alternatives like "respond promptly" or "answer in a timely manner". As supported by Ludwig, the phrase serves a practical purpose in professional and general communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond promptly

Focuses on the speed of the response.

ensure a timely reply

Highlights the act of making certain that the reply is on time.

answer in a timely manner

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the timing of the response.

be punctual with responses

Highlights the act of being punctual in replies.

reply without delay

Highlights the absence of postponement in responding.

provide a prompt answer

Focuses on delivering an answer quickly.

answer without undue delay

Similar to "reply without delay" but with a slightly more formal tone.

provide a swift response

Stresses the quickness of the answer or feedback.

respond expeditiously

Uses a more formal term for responding quickly and efficiently.

get back to someone quickly

Informal way to say replying fast.

FAQs

How can I ensure I "reply on time" in professional communications?

Set reminders, allocate specific times for email management, and prioritize urgent requests to "reply on time" and maintain effective communication.

What are some alternatives to "reply on time"?

You can use alternatives like "respond promptly", "answer in a timely manner", or "reply without delay" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to "reply on time", even if I don't have a complete answer?

Acknowledge the message and provide an estimated time for a full response. This manages expectations and demonstrates that you value the sender's inquiry, even if you can't immediately "provide a swift response".

What's the difference between "reply on time" and "reply immediately"?

"Reply on time" suggests responding within a reasonable timeframe, whereas "reply immediately" implies an instant response, which may not always be feasible or necessary. "Reply on time" focuses on meeting expectations for timeliness.