were replied to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were replied to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a response was given to a question or statement, typically in a passive construction. Example: "The inquiries from the clients were replied to promptly by the support team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Requests for case data on clinically confirmed listeriosis, recorded over the previous decade, were replied to by 23 hospitals and a National Institute of Health delegation.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Men were replying to me and taking my joke to a horrific, new place.

Huffington Post

Everything else, once it's been replied to or followed up on, gets archived.

The New Yorker

One of the letters was replied to by a man called George Gale, who was then editor of The Spectator.

Independent

Requests for comment haven't been replied to yet.

TechCrunch

The emails that have been starred for months, but still haven't been replied to?

TechCrunch

Now, incoming calls can be replied to with canned or custom messages (SMS or iMessage).

TechCrunch

Brady's try and Cipriani's conversation and penalty was replied to by Andy Saull going over for the home side.

BBC

Individual notifications are best used for action items, such as when a users comment is replied to.

TechCrunch

The majority of them will be replied to right around that 24-hour mark.

Huffington Post

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

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were replied to", ensure the subject clearly indicates what received the response. For instance, "The emails were replied to promptly" leaves no ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make writing seem indirect. Consider using active voice for more direct and engaging sentences. For example, instead of "The email were replied to by John", try "John replied to the email."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were replied to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a response. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct, and the examples illustrate its usage in various contexts where the receiver of the reply is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were replied to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a response was received. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and real-world examples show its presence in news, scientific and wiki contexts. While correct, it is not as frequent as alternatives like "were answered". When writing, ensure the subject is clear and consider active voice for more direct communication. While not wrong, overusing passive voice might reduce the overall clarity of your writing. Also according to Ludwig, while "were replied to" is grammatically correct, the choice of which phrase to use ultimately hinges on desired emphasis and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were answered

A more direct and common alternative, emphasizing the act of providing an answer.

were responded to

Similar in structure but slightly less common.

received a response

Focuses on the reception of a response, rather than the act of replying.

received answers

Highlights the reception of multiple answers.

had replies

Focuses on having multiple replies.

had a response

Indicates possession of a response, slightly less formal.

met with a response

Suggests encountering a response, slightly more formal.

elicited a response

Indicates the response was drawn out or caused.

garnered a reply

Suggests the reply was earned or obtained with effort.

prompted a reply

Emphasizes that something initiated the reply.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were replied to" for clarity?

Consider using more direct alternatives such as "were answered" or "received a response" for improved clarity and impact.

Is "were replied to" formal or informal?

While grammatically sound, "were replied to" leans toward a slightly more formal register. In casual contexts, phrases like "got a response" might be more appropriate.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "were replied to"?

Use the passive voice when the action is more important than the actor. For example, "The customer inquiries were replied to within 24 hours" emphasizes the speed of the response, not who specifically replied.

What's the difference between "were replied to" and "were answered"?

"Were replied to" and "were answered" are largely interchangeable, but "were answered" is generally more common and direct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.