reply to letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply to letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the action of responding to written correspondence, such as letters or emails. Example: "I need to set aside some time this afternoon to reply to letters that have piled up in my inbox."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

She did not reply to letters from publishers.

The New Yorker

Please note that Anna does not reply to letters individually and only a few letters can be selected for publication.

The Guardian - Money

It was not obligatory to reply to letters from readers who included a name and address but I generally did.

The Guardian - Books

The hospital did not reply to letters from Thomas's daughter, Aeronwy Thomas Ellis, David Thomas and Dr Barton asking if it still had medical files on the case.

The Guardian

Officials at the health ministry were failing to reply to letters, or to make basic decisions – such as about the registration of new medicines – paralysing any hopes of progress.

The Guardian

Typically, an MI6 "backstop" would sit beside a telephone in London, waiting to answer calls from suspicious officials overseas, or reply to letters requesting information about an officer's false identity.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604339 The authors of the above Reply to Letter to the Editor, originally published in volume no.

British Journal of Cancer

Authors' Reply to letter from Cottin et al. Please see related letter http://www.fibrogenesis.com/content/4/1/16 We thank Cottin et al. for their interest in our work [ 1], and for sharing their engaging thoughts.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Donaldson spends a day a week replying to letters and answering questions, many from children.

The Guardian - Books

However, according to a Hachette source, Mr Coleridge replied to letters of complaint in a "flippant" manner.

The Guardian

He never replies to letters, and the prison authorities will not say how, or even if, he is being treated for his mental illness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "reply to letters", ensure your response directly addresses the content and questions raised in each letter to provide a thorough and helpful answer.

Common error

Avoid delaying your response for too long, as this may lead to frustration or create an impression of neglect. Aim to "reply to letters" promptly to maintain positive relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reply to letters" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of responding to written correspondence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both personal and official responses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reply to letters" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of responding to written correspondence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news media and scientific publications. Alternatives such as "respond to letters" or "answer letters" can be used interchangeably, depending on the desired level of formality or specificity. When using this phrase, remember to address the content of each letter thoroughly and aim for a prompt response to maintain positive relationships. Common errors to avoid include neglecting the importance of timeliness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond to letters

Replaces "reply" with "respond", offering a direct synonym with no change of meaning.

answer letters

Uses "answer" instead of "reply", suggesting a slightly more direct or simple response.

write back to letters

Uses "write back" emphasizing the act of writing a response.

answer correspondence

Replaces “letters” with a more formal term, “correspondence”.

acknowledge letters

Shifts the focus to acknowledging receipt rather than fully answering the letters.

get back to letters

Implies a delay and a return to the task of replying, adding a temporal element.

attend to letters

Suggests giving attention and dealing with letters as part of one's duties.

send a response to letters

This is a more formal and elaborate version of "reply to letters".

deal with letters

Broadens the scope to include handling letters, not just replying.

process letters

Focuses on the systematic handling of letters, often in a business context.

FAQs

How can I use "reply to letters" in a sentence?

You can use "reply to letters" in a sentence like: "She makes sure to set aside time each day to "reply to letters" from customers."

What is a more formal way to say "reply to letters"?

A more formal way to say "reply to letters" is to "respond to letters" or "answer correspondence."

Is it better to "reply to letters" or "answer letters"?

Both ""reply to letters"" and "answer letters" are acceptable. "Reply" suggests a more detailed response, while "answer" can imply a simpler, more direct acknowledgement.

What's the difference between "reply to letters" and "reply to emails"?

"Reply to letters" refers specifically to responding to physical, paper-based correspondence. "Reply to emails" refers to responding to electronic messages.