wait for reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait for reply" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when you are asking someone to wait for a response or answer from someone else. Example: "Please wait for my reply before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do you do any of the following: do you gamble more than you can afford (wait for reply).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Facebook is largely an asynchronous tool – even the company's realtime Messenger and WhatsApp tools are still asynchronous in that generally people have to wait for replies.

The Guardian - Tech

A query-based application is accounted for; FCs periodically send queries and wait for replies coming from sensors.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

That might not be forceful enough to keep users' eyes glued while they wait for replies from friends.

TechCrunch

Consume while you wait for replies – By conveniently placing Day where people are already looking, Facebook can give you something to do while you're waiting for friends to respond to messages.

TechCrunch

When you are waiting for reply letter, it will give you something other than school to look forward to.

WikiHow

Those of us waiting for replies shouldn't be so quick to leap to negative conclusions.

The New York Times

They are sometimes hard to track down, however, and newshounds lose valuable time waiting for replies.

The Economist

BBC Wales is waiting for replies from the two other Conservative MPs in Wales on their voting intentions.

BBC

The leader waits for replies, and if the majority of the processes currently in the DGRP agrees, the decision is sent.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Then wait for his reply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wait for reply" in written communication, ensure the context clearly indicates who is waiting and from whom the reply is expected. For example, specify "Please wait for my reply" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "wait for reply" without specifying a timeframe, as it can create uncertainty. Instead, provide an estimated response time: "Please wait for my reply within 24 hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for reply" functions primarily as a request or instruction, directing someone to delay action until a response is received. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid phrase, frequently used to manage expectations in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wait for reply" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that instructs someone to postpone action until a response is received. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, primarily News & Media, Wiki and Science. While generally neutral in tone, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity regarding timeframe and who is waiting. Alternatives like "await a response" and "expect a reply" offer nuanced variations, making "wait for reply" a reliable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

await a response

Focuses on the act of waiting, similar to "wait for reply".

hold on for an answer

Implies waiting specifically for an answer, mirroring the specificity of "wait for reply".

expect a reply

Highlights the expectation of receiving a reply, similar to "wait for reply".

pause for a response

Suggests a temporary stop to allow a response to come, similar to "wait for reply".

stay tuned for feedback

Implies anticipation and waiting for feedback or reply.

anticipate a response

Emphasizes the anticipation of a response, similar to "wait for reply".

be patient for a response

Highlights the need for patience while waiting for a response.

look out for feedback

Similar to "wait for reply", but with more anticipation.

linger for an answer

Implies prolonging the waiting time for an answer.

delay until a response

Suggests postponing something until a reply is received.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "wait for reply"?

You can use phrases like "Kindly "await my response"", "Please "hold on for my answer"", or "I'll get back to you as soon as possible, please "pause for a response"".

What does it mean to "wait for reply" in a professional setting?

In a professional context, "wait for reply" typically means to hold off on making decisions or taking further action until a response is received from a relevant party. It implies a necessary piece of information or approval is pending.

Is it better to say "wait for reply" or "wait for response"?

Both "wait for reply" and "wait for response" are acceptable. "Wait for reply" suggests you are waiting a specific answer, whereas "wait for response" is more general.

When is it inappropriate to ask someone to "wait for reply"?

It may be inappropriate to ask someone to "wait for reply" if the matter is urgent and requires immediate attention, or if you cannot guarantee a timely response. In such cases, alternative solutions or temporary measures should be considered.