ENGLISH
REFERENCE

replied

v.
A2 Elementary US //ɹiˈpɫaɪd// UK //ɹɪplˈaɪd// replied

v. to say or write something as an answer to a question or a message. You use this when you are continuing a conversation that someone else started.

v. to answer or respond to a communication, whether spoken or written. Intransitive when used with 'to', but functions as a reporting verb for direct or indirect speech.


SIMPLE

She replied to my email within five minutes.

CONTEXTUAL

When the manager asked if the project was finished, the lead developer replied that they needed one more day.

COMPLEX

The diplomat replied with a carefully worded statement that addressed the immediate concerns without committing the government to a specific course of action.

Synonyms
Usage

When followed by an object, it requires the preposition 'to'. It also functions as a speech tag in narrative writing.

Pitfall

He replied me yesterday.He replied to me yesterday.Unlike 'answer', 'reply' is intransitive and requires the preposition 'to' before the person being addressed.

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