reply
part of speech
verb (reply, replies, replied, replying); noun (a reply, replies)
meaning for a pupil
1) To reply is to answer, in words, writing or action. tree →
2) A reply is an answer to a question, letter or message. tree →
sense in the lessons
In manners lessons, reply politely to greetings, invitations and messages; «Reply to all» sends to everyone on a message. In online safety, do not reply to messages from strangers or to mean messages — tell an adult and keep a copy. In writing, a «reply letter» answers someone else's letter. Phrases: «reply to», «in reply to», «no reply».
examples
- She replied with a smile. tree →
- Please reply to the party invitation by Friday. tree →
- I knocked but there was no reply. tree →
- He wrote a reply to his pen pal. tree →
- Don't reply to messages from strangers. tree →
- «Yes, please,» she replied. tree →
- In reply to your question, the answer is 12. tree →
- Wait for a reply before you go in. tree →
- For reply came a low growl. tree →
note
Spelling: replies, replied (y → i), but replying keeps y. Say «reply to someone», not «reply someone». «Reply» is a bit more formal than «answer».
In the corpora
- Job hunting means searching adverts and sending applications, often dozens before getting anywhere; many get no reply at all.
- Families don't owe the street their news first; when a baby arrives, the kind reply is «congratulations».
- In December 2022 a Netflix series told Harry and Meghan's side of their story; others in it did not reply on camera.
- A chatbot's friendly greeting is the kind of reply its training makes likely; it does not mean someone is alive inside it.
- «No, not one little song,» replied the Rat firmly, though his heart bled.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «reply» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.