without a reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without a reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that no response has been received or expected in a conversation or correspondence. Example: "I sent her an email last week, but it remains unanswered, without a reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

For two months Manmohan Singh left them camped on a sweltering pavement without a reply.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is necessary for us, therefore, to be ready to combat their propaganda and not to allow their arguments to pass without a reply.

Yale University

I have written to you on several occasions without a reply and have pursued the appeal process to which you submitted me in the diminishing expectation of fairness.

The Guardian

When another 48 hours elapsed without a reply from her, I resent the information again, this time appended, "I'm resending this because I have no way of knowing whether or not you received it".

The New York Times

But Ms. Black grew impatient: she complained to Ms. Harris after several hours had passed without a reply from Ms. Kennedy, writing, "I sent this at the crack of dawn but no response.

The New York Times

3 Don't send more than two messages without a reply If they haven't messaged you back, chances are that they've decided they don't fancy you any more, or their friend drunkenly swiped your face for a joke.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Or the other inhabitants of this parallel universe, who decide to earn rather than learn and can pick and choose their jobs without submitting thousands of applications all to be rejected without even a reply.

The Guardian

The next year, my father sent one without receiving a reply.

The New York Times

And if you send more than two texts without receiving a reply, cut yourself off.

WikiHow

However, you should also be sure not to overdo it...remember the rule: if you send two consecutive texts without getting a reply, you should stop texting.

WikiHow

If 12 minutes have passed without getting a reply, and all the signs point to them ignoring you, you're probably being ignored.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a formal tone, consider using "without a response" instead.

Common error

Avoid assuming silence or the absence of a reply implies agreement or consent. Always seek explicit confirmation when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a reply" typically functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action occurred (or didn't). Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts, demonstrating its role in describing a lack of response.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without a reply" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a situation where no response is received. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as wiki and science-related content. While the phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, being mindful of alternative phrases such as "unanswered" or "without a response" can add nuance to your writing. Remember that absence of a reply should not automatically be interpreted as agreement. Overall, "without a reply" is a useful phrase for clearly communicating a lack of response in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unanswered

Directly indicates no answer was provided.

without response

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the lack of a response.

no reply received

Explicitly states that a reply was not received.

unresponded to

Highlights the state of being without a response.

without a word back

Emphasizes the absence of any verbal or written response.

unacknowledged

Implies the communication wasn't recognized.

ignored

Suggests a deliberate lack of attention or response.

no acknowledgment

Focuses on the lack of recognition or confirmation.

met with silence

Indicates a complete lack of response, often in a figurative sense.

left hanging

Suggests a state of uncertainty due to the lack of response.

FAQs

What does "without a reply" mean?

The phrase "without a reply" indicates that no response or communication was received after an initial message or inquiry.

How can I use "without a reply" in a sentence?

You can use "without a reply" to describe a situation where someone didn't respond, such as: "I sent him an email, but it remains "unanswered", "without a reply"".

What are some alternatives to saying "without a reply"?

Some alternatives include "without a response", "unacknowledged", or "ignored", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "without a reply" or "without any reply"?

Both "without a reply" and "without any reply" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and stylistic flow within the sentence.