temporary reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "temporary reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a response that is not permanent or is meant to be short-lived. Example: "Due to the ongoing issues, this is just a temporary reply until we can provide a more comprehensive response."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll be able to send silly short-lived selfies embellished with creative tools and temporary replies to friends' Stories inside an on-going conversation that could include texted logistics or discussion of public posts.

TechCrunch

To ease the logistical pain, she prevailed on administrators to send a temporary automatic reply to anyone who e-mailed her, saying that she no longer worked there, and providing her new address.

The New York Times - Tech

I suggest that this is probably temporary, and she replies "I don't miss it.

Huffington Post

Time spent by people watching Instagram Stories — which is temporary sharing with private replies that launched in August 2016 — could someday significantly surpass time spent in the Instagram Feed, which is the permanent stream of photos and videos with comments that launched in October 2010.

TechCrunch

Torv later noted in a BuddyTV interview that while shooting, she was unsure whether her newfound abilities were permanent or temporary, to which the writers replied that "apparently it's just something that comes and goes".

Wikipedia

Asked once by a stranger during her premiership what his wife did, he replied: "She has a temporary job".

The Guardian

Once, asked by a stranger during the Thatcher era what his wife did, he replied: "She has a temporary job".

The Guardian

"Yes, the sanctions have worked to pressure Iran to accept temporary limits on its nuclear program," Samore replied.

The New Yorker

The president replied that measures were being taken to construct temporary classrooms, which UNICEF is helping to build.

Unicef

From temporary headquarters in Baton Rouge, ACORN sent text messages to members with cell phones and quickly received 200 replies.

Huffington Post

Mr. Hayward replied that he did and that in order "to ensure compliance with rules of conduct that temporary closure needed to be effectuated".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "temporary reply", clearly state the expected duration or conditions under which the reply will be superseded by a more permanent or detailed response.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "temporary reply" without explicitly stating that it is not a final or complete answer, or without indicating when a more comprehensive response will be provided. This can lead to misunderstandings and unmet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "temporary reply" functions as a noun phrase, where "temporary" modifies the noun "reply". It describes the type of response being given, indicating its non-permanent nature. This function is crucial for setting expectations, particularly in professional or formal communication.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temporary reply" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a response that is not final or permanent. While Ludwig does not provide example sentences, the analysis indicates that it's suitable for professional and neutral communication, emphasizing the need to manage expectations by clearly indicating the limitations and future follow-up associated with the reply. Alternatives like "interim response" or "provisional reply" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interim response

Replaces "temporary" with "interim", suggesting a response provided until a more permanent one is available.

provisional reply

Uses "provisional" instead of "temporary", implying that the response is subject to change.

short-term answer

Focuses on the limited duration of the answer.

preliminary response

Highlights that the reply is an initial one, likely to be followed by a more detailed answer.

stopgap reply

Suggests the reply is serving as a temporary fix until a better solution is found.

quick reply

Implies a fast response, without necessarily indicating it's temporary in nature.

immediate answer

Emphasizes the immediacy of the reply but doesn't necessarily imply it's not permanent.

ad-hoc response

Indicates the reply is created for a specific, immediate need and may not be generally applicable.

holding reply

Suggests a reply given to acknowledge receipt and indicate that a more detailed response will follow.

tentative answer

Implies uncertainty or lack of finality in the response.

FAQs

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

You can use "temporary reply" to indicate that the response is not final or is meant to serve only for a limited time. For example: "Due to the ongoing system maintenance, this is just a "temporary reply"; we will provide a full response as soon as possible."

What are some alternatives to "temporary reply"?

Alternatives include "interim response", "provisional reply", or "preliminary response". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use a "temporary reply"?

A "temporary reply" is suitable when you need to acknowledge a message or inquiry quickly but cannot provide a complete or definitive answer immediately due to ongoing issues, lack of information, or other constraints. Always indicate when a more comprehensive response is expected.

What's the difference between a "temporary reply" and a standard reply?

A "temporary reply" is explicitly identified as not being final or complete, whereas a standard reply is generally understood to be the sender's full and considered response at that time. The former sets the expectation of a further, more detailed communication.