to be replied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be replied" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where a response is expected or required, but the correct form would be "to be replied to." Example: "The email is awaiting to be replied to by the manager."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"There's people instead," she counters, but those people are not always to be replied upon.

The Guardian - Books

Given who is writing the letters, it all has to be replied to, often at almost equal length.

The Guardian - Opinion

The latter are significantly more likely to be re-shared while static images are more likely to be replied to or plusoned.

MIT Technology Review

And those whose interest is in avoiding communication are those who do not want to be replied to or argued with.

The Guardian - Books

Writing letters to Berger was, and is (for I still do), mostly like sending them into a fictional space, to be replied to by a member of the Pickwick Society.

The New York Times - Books

At 1 p.m. the Italian consul advised the Consular Corps that he had received notice from his government that Italy had forwarded to the Ottoman government a final ultimatum, to be replied to by noon today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Whoever I want to be," replies Toplis with relish.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Making the default behavior of the reply box to be "reply all" adds to that potential culture clash.

MIT Technology Review

Another trend is to start headers with "Re:" so they seem to be replies to previous e-mails.

The New York Times

Requests for comment haven't been replied to yet.

TechCrunch

The query from the user is replied to with the help of these three tables.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "to be replied to" or alternatives like "to be answered", "to require a response" for grammatically sound writing. Relying on "to be replied" can undermine your writing's credibility.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "to" at the end of the phrase. Saying something needs "to be replied" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "to be replied to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be replied" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating a passive action that needs to be performed. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is not grammatically correct. The correct form requires the addition of the preposition "to" at the end: "to be replied to."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "to be replied" appears with some frequency, it's important to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights the need for the preposition "to" at the end of the phrase, making the correct form "to be replied to". Although "to be replied" is often found in news, science, and wiki sources, its incorrectness makes it less suitable for formal writing. Employing alternative phrases such as "to be answered", "to require a response", or simply rephrasing the sentence can improve clarity and credibility. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy to ensure your writing is clear and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be answered

Replaces "replied" with "answered", providing a more standard and direct expression of needing a response.

to require a response

Shifts the structure to explicitly state the need for a response, clarifying the intended meaning.

to need a reply

Uses the noun "reply" to convey the requirement, making the phrase more concise and grammatically correct.

to be responded to

Adds "to" at the end, fixing the original error and specifying the target of the response

awaiting a response

Focuses on the state of waiting for a response, rather than the action of replying.

to warrant a response

Indicates that something deserves or justifies a response, implying a need for it.

to call for a reply

Emphasizes that something is prompting or demanding a reply.

to merit a reply

Suggests that something is worthy of a reply due to its importance or relevance.

demanding a response

Highlights the urgency or necessity of a response.

expecting a reply

Focuses on the anticipation of receiving a reply.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something needs a response?

Instead of "to be replied", use "to be answered", "to be responded to", or "to require a response" for better grammar.

Is "to be replied" grammatically correct?

No, "to be replied" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "to be replied to".

What are some alternatives to "to be replied" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, opt for phrases like "to require a response", "to warrant a response", or "to merit a reply" to maintain a professional tone.

How can I avoid using "to be replied" in my writing?

Rephrase your sentences to use active voice or different constructions. For example, instead of "The email needs to be replied", say "Please reply to the email" or "A response to the email is needed".