they didn't reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they didn't reply' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when a person or group has not responded to an attempt at communication. For example, "I sent an email to the company asking for help, but they didn't reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They didn't reply.

The New Yorker

'I've applied to Morrisons and McDonald's, but they didn't reply.

The Guardian

"We said: 'Call the coastguard.' He said he had, but they didn't reply.

The Guardian

When I asked Ofsted why they didn't reply to the letter my parents sent them, they said: "We consider complaints from parents about schools very carefully and these may lead to an inspection being brought forward.

Independent

(Julian Bond – chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and son of one of Albert Barnes's best friends – was appalled at the black college's treatment. "Your actions could easily be viewed as racially hostile," he wrote to the new board. They didn't reply).

Independent

When the artist contacted them to clarify this, they didn't reply.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Proctor said: "They did not reply.

The Guardian

They did not reply to e-mails requesting interviews.

The New York Times - Tech

They did not reply to four requests for comment.

The New York Times

"When they did not reply for a long time, the Government Cyber Security Cell was requested to initiate action".

The New York Times

I asked Murray's family if they wished to comment for this story; they did not reply.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they didn't reply", ensure the context makes it clear who 'they' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, in highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "no response was received" or "their response was not forthcoming" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they didn't reply" functions as a statement indicating the absence of a response from a group of people. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they didn't reply" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of response from a group. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. While it is widely acceptable, consider the formality of your writing when choosing between this and more sophisticated alternatives. It appears most frequently in news and media, and should be considered acceptable for informal, neutral and professional communication. Be aware of source and context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they gave no response

Emphasizes the complete absence of a response.

they offered no answer

Focuses on the lack of an answer being provided.

they didn't get back to me

Implies a personal expectation of a return communication.

they failed to respond

Highlights the failure to fulfill an expected response.

they remained silent

Suggests a deliberate choice not to communicate.

they sent no acknowledgement

Focuses on the absence of any sign that the message was received.

they did not acknowledge

A more formal way of expressing a lack of recognition or response.

no response was received from them

A passive and formal construction indicating the absence of a reply.

they left it unanswered

Highlights the lack of response towards a specific question.

they ignored the message

Suggests active avoidance of the message.

FAQs

What does "they didn't reply" mean?

It means that a group of people, referred to as "they", did not send back an answer or acknowledgement to a message, question, or request.

What can I say instead of "they didn't reply"?

You can use alternatives like "they gave no response", "they offered no answer", or "they failed to respond" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they didn't reply"?

Yes, "they didn't reply" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

What is the difference between "they didn't reply" and "they didn't respond"?

The phrases "they didn't reply" and "they didn't respond" are often interchangeable. "Reply" specifically implies answering a question or message, while "respond" can refer to any reaction or action in return. But both "they didn't respond" and "they didn't reply" indicate a lack of communication.