I. verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a right of reply ( also the right to reply ) (= the right to say or write something in answer to a criticism )
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People should have the right of reply when a magazine has published letters criticizing them.
answer a letter/reply to a letter
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I never answered his letter.
answer/reply to an email
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She did not bother replying to his email.
negative answer/reply/response
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He gave a negative answer without any explanation.
reply in the negative
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The majority of people, when asked whether or not they are creative, will reply in the negative .
say/speak/reply etc coldly
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‘Well, what can I do for you?’ he asked coldly.
stumped for words/an answer/a reply
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Travis seemed absolutely stumped for words.
written agreement/reply/statement/report etc
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Please send a cheque with written confirmation of your booking.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ NOUN
letter
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You won't be able to reply to this letter , as when you receive it I shall be on the water.
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To my surprise he had replied to my letter and invited me to call on him at his Cambridge college.
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Do not reply a letter to Lewis until I contact you because I could not be here.
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If anyone replied to my letter concerning Rangers and Leeds, please write again.
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Instead, he chose to reply to Goma's letter in his own direct way.
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But shops showed no interest and the big soap companies didn't even reply to her letters .
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Will reply to all letters received-Please include photos if possible.
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Wallace did not reply to our letters and telephone calls.
question
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Once again, the veteran didn't reply but the insistent question disturbed him.
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We can therefore now attempt to reply to the question posed earlier: from pictographs to what?
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Will he reply to the question ?
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Forman replied to this with questions of his own.
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He didn't know how to reply to the open-ended question .
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In replying to this question , the respondents were not directed in any way to select political characteristics.
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It is interesting that he replied to her question in reverse!
■ VERB
ask
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Mr. MacGregor I have been asked to reply .
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Mr. Newland specifically asks me to reply .
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
answer/reply in the affirmative
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Are men more mechanical than women? 67% of all men responding to our poll answered in the affirmative .
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When asked if he recognized the defendant, the witness replied in the affirmative .
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No doubt Harry's family would also have replied in the affirmative , indicating that they really did not know what happiness was.
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That question was answered in the affirmative .
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We can answer in the affirmative provided the weights are all positive.
tart reply/remark etc
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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"I'm so sorry," he replied.
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"Of course," Nathalie replied.
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Becky hasn't replied to our invitation, so I assume she isn't coming.
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I waited for Smith to reply , but he said nothing.
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I wrote to Franca three weeks ago but she hasn't replied yet.
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The jailers refused to reply to the prisoners' questions about where they were being taken.
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We asked Jane to help, but she replied that she was too busy.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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I replied at once to say that I should be in London shortly and suggested a meeting on Thursday, 14 May.
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I apologise for the delay in replying to you.
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I wonder whether the others would have replied had I suddenly become famous!
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No, not in 20 years, he replied.
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Oliver tried to reply , but he was too weak to speak.
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One-eyed Odin replied that in his own experience the giants were a tough lot.
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Thanks to all the readers who replied, and thanks for the nice things that you very often said.
II. noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADJECTIVE
written
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The Minister also told me in a written reply about the education and social opportunities that were available to young offenders.
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You will receive a written reply from the officer once your complaint has been looked into.
■ VERB
expect
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Eileen was amazed that he expected a reply .
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She had not expected a prompt reply to her request; teachers were so hard to get up-country.
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Mr. Colvin I expected a reply somewhat like that.
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You tell me, he demanded, neither expecting a reply nor getting one.
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However, I do expect a reply and an assurance of an immediate change in attitude.
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She had expected an equally sarcastic reply .
get
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Did he write to all the dukes and get a reply from them all?
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I tried calling you in Budapest on Friday and Saturday but couldn't get a reply .
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That evening I telephoned his home and could get no reply .
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We couldn't get a straight reply - she'd only answer in sign language.
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Massingham knocked gently, then, getting no reply , pushed it open.
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You will not always get a reply but you may be surprised at how often you do.
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In addition, he had called at the Fleming house where he had got no reply to his bell-ringing.
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This service deals with 100's of queries a month and each one gets a personal reply .
give
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He gave no reply , just stood there, his back to them, his head tilted backwards and upwards.
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When they gave their replies there was a powerful feeling in the room.
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I am afraid, however, that I am going to have to give you a disappointing reply .
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For thirty years I've been trying to give an affirmative reply to that question.
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He was being given the right of reply , it was pointed out, at which point he put the phone down.
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He gave no reply but hadn't believed her.
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After a hasty consultation, Patrick Ollier, who was down to ask the next question, gave a bland reply .
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Mr Perot has never yet chosen to give a straight reply to that point.
hear
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Benjamin whispered to her and I heard her hissed reply , followed by silence.
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My father overheard and, without consulting me or waiting to hear my reply , forbade him the house.
receive
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He alleged that when he asked Scott about the planning, he received only an off-hand reply .
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Finally, I offered to become an air hostess to pay my way, and this time, received an immediate reply .
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Often they had, and if so might expect to receive a polite reply .
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I received no reply to either letter.
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When they tried to question him they received unintelligible replies and realised he was drunk.
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Every week she wrote to Liza, letters to which she received brief erratic replies .
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Every idea will be acknowledged and receive a reply .
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The chairman has written to the Director of Planning re the proposed development at Hermiston but has received no reply .
send
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Under this threat, Churchill sent a long reply on 28 November, explaining why Britain could not accept Berle's proposals.
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He has sent a reply so no one will even be searching for her.
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We will then send you a reply paid label with a reference number.
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We received an encouraging 50% response to the questionnaire, with 63 of the 129 initial pilot centres sending us their replies .
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She must write that letter in time for him to send back a reply .
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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"I'm just borrowing your black dress, OK?" said Maxine, without waiting for a reply .
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Dr Kleinert murmured a reply , but I couldn't hear what it was.
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I wrote to them three weeks ago and I haven't had a reply back yet.
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It is usual to send a formal reply to a wedding invitation.
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Railway officials say it isn't their fault - which is their standard reply to customers' complaints.
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We advertised for a secretary in the local paper and got 24 replies.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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Books were published in reply and arguments advanced in favour of young women.
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He gave no reply , just stood there, his back to them, his head tilted backwards and upwards.
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Her reply was an almost audible sigh of relief.
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Illingworth frowned but made no reply .
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Their replies were quite consistent: it meant being responsible and accountable, having power, and being in control.
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There is the possibility of no reply from overseas.
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There was no reply , but I assumed it was being taken care of.
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Without waiting for my reply she picks up the paper, tosses it on to the floor, and sits down.