"Reply" vs "Reply to"

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me which one is more natural and correct?

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

I would choose 1) The verb 'reply' needs the preposition 'to' with an object and so 2) is not natural.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Haihao]

Or he never replied my emails, questions, love letters, etc.

[Yankee]

Hi Haihao

Could you be a bit more specific about your post?
- Are you asking a question?
- Or are you saying that your sentence would be natural in a version of English other than British or American English?

If the latter is the case, would you mind telling us which variant of English you are referring to?
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Jctgf]

hi,
is ''replied my email'' wrong? I thought it's the right way and I've been using this way all along.
thanks.

[Yankee]

Hi jctgf

Unless you are writing in some sort of abbreviated form of English ("headline" or "bullet" style English, for example), I would consider "replied my email" to be grammatically incorrect.

Look at the examples in these dictionary entries:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=67007&dict=CALD
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=reply&r=66

- I replied immediately.
- I replied to his email immediately.
- I replied that I would forward the information as soon as possible.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Haihao]

O yes. e.g. How to reply complaint letters?

[Lost_Soul]

[Haihao]

Yes, rabbin. That's somethin, going without sayin'. No prize, no nothin. :wink: