reply that

USAGE SUMMARY

"Reply that" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is used to indicate that someone should answer an earlier question or statement. For example, "Did you get my message?" "Reply that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He waited for a reply that did not come.

The New York Times

Mr. Mahaney sent a terse e-mail reply that answered the essence of the reporter's questions.

The New York Times

"Oh, around the Queen's arse," he was told – a sardonic reply that delighted him.

Independent

The scientists reply that, without ranching, the disease would not have spread so far.

The Economist

"It's just not my thing" — a reply that didn't surprise me a bit.

The New Yorker

Instead they get a very long reply that does not answer their initial question.

BBC

(Skeptical critics reply that Kuhn invented the problem for which he had a solution).

SEP

The main reply that is made to disconnections is to deny that they are genuinely causal.

SEP

"We had hoped for a reply that said, 'Here are our policies,' " Klimchuk explained.

Science Magazine

She mulled over the matter and gave me a reply that seems plausible.

Huffington Post

"All we get is an automatic reply that Google reserves the right to suspend accounts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reply that", ensure the context clearly establishes who is replying and to what.

Common error

Avoid using "reply that" when a more specific verb like "explain", "argue", or "state" would better capture the nature of the response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to introduce the content of a response or answer. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression in written English. The examples show it connecting a question or statement to the answer.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reply that" functions as a reporting verb phrase to introduce the content of a response, confirmed by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral register. While it is a correct and usable expression, it's important to consider whether a more specific verb would better capture the nuance of the response. Alternatives include "respond that", "answer that", and "state that". Ensure that the context is clear, and avoid the redundant "replied back that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond that

Similar in meaning, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of responding.

answer that

Focuses on providing a solution or information, whereas "reply that" is a simple response.

state that

More formal and implies a deliberate and official declaration.

claim that

Implies the response is an assertion, possibly debatable.

argue that

Suggests the response is part of a debate or reasoned explanation.

assert that

Emphasizes the confident and forceful nature of the reply.

mention that

Indicates the response was made in passing or as a side note.

explain that

Suggests a detailed response providing clarification or reasoning.

indicate that

Implies the response is a sign or signal rather than a direct answer.

remark that

Suggests the response is a casual observation or comment.

FAQs

How can I use "reply that" in a sentence?

The phrase "reply that" is used to introduce a direct response or answer given by someone. For example: "When asked about the incident, she "replied that" she was not present."

What are some alternatives to "reply that"?

Alternatives to "reply that" include "respond that", "answer that", or "state that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "replied back that" instead of "reply that"?

Saying "replied back that" is redundant because "replied" already implies a response. It's better to simply use "reply that".

What is the difference between "reply that" and "respond that"?

While similar, "reply that" is a more general term for answering. "Respond that" can imply a more considered or formal answer. Choose the word that best fits the tone and context.