What is reply? Pronunciation and usage in English

reply means . Learn how to pronounce and use reply through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of reply

replyverb

/rɪˈplʌɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of reply

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "reply." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • ri-PLAY

Let’s break it down further:

  • ri: Like the "ri" in "ride" – a short, quick sound.
  • PLAY: Like the word "play." The emphasis is on this syllable.

Here's a phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA) for clarity:

/riˈplaɪ/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable, "PLAY." This is the most important thing to get right.
  • Don't say "re-PLI." Many people accidentally add an extra "e" sound at the beginning.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

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Usage and examples with the word reply in English

Let's break down how to use the word "reply" in English. It's a versatile word with a few slightly different nuances.

1. The Basic Meaning: To Respond

At its core, "reply" means to respond to something – a question, a statement, a message, etc. It's essentially a more formal or slightly more elaborate way of saying "answer" or "respond."

  • Example: "I received a reply to my email this morning." (Meaning: I got a response to my email.)
  • Example: "He didn't reply to my call." (Meaning: He didn't answer his phone.)
  • Example: "The professor waited patiently for the students to reply to his questions."

2. "Reply" as a Verb (Action)

  • “To reply” is the base form of the verb. You use it to describe the act of responding.
    • "Please reply as soon as possible." (Tell me back quickly.)
    • "She replied politely to his criticism." (She responded in a courteous way.)

3. “Reply” as a Noun (The Response Itself)

  • “Reply” can also be a noun, referring to the actual answer or response that is given.
    • “I read his reply carefully.” (Referring to the written answer he sent.)
    • "Here’s the reply to your letter." (The letter back you’ve written.)
    • "The company sent a detailed reply to our complaints."

4. Common Phrases Using “Reply”

  • Reply to: This is the most common structure.
    • "Reply to my question."
    • "Reply to email."
    • "Reply to the message."
  • In reply to…: Used to introduce a response to a specific thing.
    • "In reply to your suggestion, I think…" (Responding to your idea.)
  • Reply chain: (Often used electronically) Represents the back-and-forth conversation of replies. "There's a long reply chain on this email thread."

5. Formal vs. Informal

"Reply" is generally considered slightly more formal than "answer" or "respond." You're more likely to use it in written communication (emails, letters) or in more formal contexts like professional settings or academic writing. "Answer" and "respond" are perfectly fine in most everyday conversations.

Here’s a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To respond; to answer “Please reply to my request.”
Noun The response; the answer “I read his reply carefully.”
Phrase To respond to something “Reply to the invitation.”

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Synonyms for the word reply

Practice with vocabulary reply

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. A direct email to the client would be the best way to ________ to their urgent query.
  2. Effective internal ________ requires clear guidelines and regular meetings.
  3. We are still waiting for a formal ________ from the committee regarding our proposal.
  4. Before making a decision, it's always wise to ________ about all available options.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The manager asked me to ________ to the email about the project deadline. a) respond b) answer c) reply d) convey

  2. The team needs to thoroughly ________ the data before drawing any conclusions. a) analyze b) articulate c) question d) summarize

  3. We haven't received any official ________ to our inquiry about the policy change. a) announcement b) response c) reply d) declaration

  4. The committee decided to ________ the allegations thoroughly before making a decision. a) investigate b) affirm c) retract d) acknowledge

  5. It is important to ________ promptly to customer complaints to maintain trust. a) address b) reply c) resolve d) communicate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We received an immediate response to our urgent email. (Use "reply" or a related word form)
  2. The expert refused to give an answer to the difficult question. (Do not use "reply", use a suitable replacement word)
  3. The CEO confirmed that he would respond to the media inquiries by tomorrow morning. (Use "reply" or a related word form)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. reply
  2. communication
  3. reply
  4. inquire

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) respond, b) answer, c) reply
  2. a) analyze
  3. b) response, c) reply
  4. a) investigate
  5. a) address, b) reply, d) communicate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. They replied immediately to our urgent email. (Or: Our urgent email received an immediate reply.)
  2. The expert declined to comment on the difficult question.
  3. The CEO confirmed that he would reply to the media inquiries by tomorrow morning.

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