simple reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"simple reply" is correct and can be used in written English, typically to refer to a response that is short, straightforward, and to the point.
For example, if a friend asks you how your day was, you could reply "Good!" - a simple reply.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Why?" was his direct and simple reply.

The Guardian - Sport

"The answer is no," came the simple reply from editor Ian Hislop when Index inquired.

The Guardian - Opinion

His wife, Susan, counted out letters as he blinked a simple reply: "I was thrilled".

The New York Times

Mr. Ortega has a simple reply: times change and so has he.

The New York Times

"Moganshan is good," was the simple reply, which officials interpreted as a signal to preserve provincial control, Mr. Kitto said.

The New York Times

That's the simple reply to a request from a relative or friend to co-sign on a loan.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"No war is simple," replies Patti.

Nature

His simple replies were not what they wanted.

The New Yorker

Google announced Tuesday that its Inbox email service will be able to compose simple replies for its users beginning this Thursday.

Huffington Post

It's a simple enough question but is it one that comes with a simple answer in reply?

Huffington Post

When asked for a simple answer he replied: "I will answer without horns and without teeth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a "simple reply", ensure it directly addresses the question without unnecessary elaboration. This is particularly effective in professional settings or when clarity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid making a "simple reply" so brief that it becomes ambiguous or fails to convey the necessary information. Ensure the response is still comprehensive enough to be understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple reply" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "simple" modifies the noun "reply". It describes the nature of the response as being uncomplicated and straightforward. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's typically used to describe a response that is concise and easy to understand.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simple reply" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a response that is straightforward and uncomplicated. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's predominantly found in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Scientific and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the reply is clear and direct, while also providing sufficient information to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "straightforward answer" or "direct response" can be used for variety. The phrase can be considered neutral in formality, as supported by the breadth of sources where Ludwig found the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straightforward answer

Replaces "reply" with "answer", emphasizing clarity and directness.

direct response

Substitutes "simple" with "direct" and "reply" with "response", highlighting the absence of ambiguity.

brief answer

Focuses on the conciseness of the answer, using "brief" instead of "simple".

concise response

Emphasizes the brevity and succinctness of the response.

short reply

Highlights the brevity of the reply.

uncomplicated answer

Replaces "simple" with "uncomplicated", emphasizing ease of understanding.

basic response

Uses "basic" to indicate a fundamental and unelaborated response.

plain answer

Replaces "simple" with "plain", indicating a clear and unadorned answer.

clear response

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the response.

succinct reply

Focuses on the brief and clearly expressed nature of the reply.

FAQs

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

You can use "simple reply" to describe a response that is short and to the point. For example, "When asked about his strategy, the coach gave a "simple reply": 'We'll play our game'."

What are some alternatives to "simple reply"?

Alternatives to "simple reply" include "straightforward answer", "direct response", or "brief answer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "simple reply" or "simply reply"?

"Simple reply" is the correct phrase when used as an adjective-noun combination to describe a straightforward response. "Simply reply" is grammatically correct, but it is an adverb-verb combination, and implies the act of replying in a simple way.

When is it appropriate to give a "simple reply"?

A "simple reply" is appropriate when the context requires brevity and clarity, such as in professional communications or when answering direct questions that don't require extensive explanation.