reply

/rɪˈplaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈplaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈplī/ (ame, mw)

reply — verb

  • replypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • replieshe / she / it
  • repliedpast simple
  • replying-ing form

1. to say, write, or signal back when someone has asked a question, sent a message,

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to say, write, or signal back when someone has asked a question, sent a message, or spoken to you.

例句

Mizuki replied to the email within an hour of receiving it.

reply + to + noun for answering a message

When the judge asked if he understood the charge, Hamza replied that he did.

reply + that-clause for reported answer

同義詞
  • answer

    more common in everyday speech; can take a direct object ('answer the phone')

  • respond

    slightly more formal than 'reply'; common in official or professional contexts

  • write back

    informal phrasal verb, used only for letters, emails, or text messages

反義詞
  • ask

    the initiating action that prompts a reply

  • ignore

    to deliberately not reply

文法句型

reply + to + noun (person or thing answered)

reply + that-clause

reply + with + noun

reply + direct speech

用法筆記

Unlike 'answer', 'reply' cannot take a direct object for the person being addressed. You must say 'reply to someone', not 'reply someone'. Repeated or missed replies often appear with prepositions 'to' and 'with'.

常見錯誤

❌I replied him yesterday.
✅I replied to him yesterday.
💡'reply' needs 'to' before the person being answered.
❌She replied the question quickly.
✅She replied to the question quickly.
💡'reply' cannot take the question or message as a direct object.

2. to take action in return for something another person has done, especially to co

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to take action in return for something another person has done, especially to counter or match their action — for example, a company replying to a rival's price cut by lowering its own prices.

例句

The army replied to the attack by launching a counter-strike at dawn.

reply + to + noun + by + verb-ing for describing a counter-action

Inês's company replied to the price cuts by offering free shipping for a month.

同義詞
  • react

    broader in meaning; includes emotional and involuntary responses, not only deliberate counter-actions

  • answer

    can be used for actions as well as words, but less common for describing a tactical response

  • retaliate

    stronger and more negative — implies a harmful or punishing response

反義詞
  • ignore

    to take no action in response

  • accept

    to receive an action without resisting or countering

文法句型

reply + to + noun (action or situation)

reply + by + verb-ing

reply + with + noun (counter-action)

用法筆記

Common in military, business, and sports contexts. The action that follows 'reply' is typically deliberate and intended to have an effect. Usually followed by 'to' + the situation, then 'by' or 'with' + the counter-action.

常見錯誤

❌The company replied the criticism by issuing a statement.
✅The company replied to the criticism by issuing a statement.
💡this sense also requires 'to' before the thing being responded to.
❌The team replied with winning the next match.
✅The team replied by winning the next match.
💡use 'by' + gerund for actions, not 'with' + gerund.

reply — noun