Answer vs Reply vs Respond: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Answer" is used for responding to things like questions or phone calls, while "reply" means to answer messages or words. "Respond" is a more general and formal verb for giving a response.
Memory Tip: answer = phone call, reply = message, respond = formal
answer ends with /ər/, reply ends with /aɪ/
answer /ˈæn.sər/
verbTo say what you think when someone asks a question.
Example:
She raised her hand to answer the teacher's question in class.
Common patterns:
answer a question
answer me
reply /rɪˈplaɪ/
verbTo say or write something as an answer to someone.
Example:
She always replies to my emails quickly, so I never have to wait long.
Common patterns:
reply to someone
reply with an answer
respond /rɪˈspɒnd/
verbTo say or write something as a reply to someone or something.
Example:
The teacher will respond to your email tomorrow.
Common patterns:
respond to
respond quickly
Common Mistakes
I need to respond to the email from my boss.
I need to reply to the email from my boss.
The word 'reply' is more appropriate for answering emails or messages.
She didn't reply to my question during the meeting.
She didn't answer to my question during the meeting.
The word 'answer' is used when responding directly to questions.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. She raised her hand to ____ the teacher's question in class.
2. The teacher will ____ to your email tomorrow.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse answer / reply / respond again
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