Is It Correct to Say ‘reply me’?

No, it is not correct to say “reply me” in standard English. The verb “reply” is intransitive, meaning it cannot take a direct object. You must use the preposition “to” before the person you are replying to. The correct phrase is “reply to me.” This is a very common mistake for learners whose native languages allow a direct object after “reply,” but in English, you always need the preposition.

Quick Answer

Use “reply to me” instead of “reply me.” The word “reply” needs the preposition “to” when followed by a person. For example: “Please reply to me by Friday.” Never say “Please reply me.”

Why “Reply Me” Is Wrong

The verb “reply” belongs to a group of verbs that require a preposition before an indirect object. Think of it like “listen” (listen to me) or “talk” (talk to me). You cannot say “listen me” or “talk me” for the same reason. The structure is always:

• Correct: reply + to + person
• Incorrect: reply + person

This rule applies in both formal and informal English. Even in casual conversation, native speakers say “reply to me” or simply “reply” without an object. For example, “I sent you a message. Did you reply?” is fine, but “Did you reply me?” is always wrong.

Comparison Table: “Reply Me” vs. “Reply to Me”

Natural Examples

Here are real-life examples showing how to use “reply to” correctly in different situations.

In Emails

• “I look forward to your response. Please reply to me at your earliest convenience.”
• “Could you reply to my previous message? I need your feedback on the report.”
• “If you have any questions, please reply to this email.”

In Conversation

• “I texted you last night. Why didn’t you reply to me?”
• “She never replies to my messages.”
• “He replied to me within five minutes.”

In Formal Writing

• “The committee will reply to the applicant within two weeks.”
• “Please reply to the invitation by March 1st.”

Common Mistakes

Learners often make these errors. Here is how to fix them.

• Mistake: “Reply me when you are free.”
  Correct: “Reply to me when you are free.”
• Mistake: “I will reply you later.”
  Correct: “I will reply to you later.”
• Mistake: “Did you reply her?”
  Correct: “Did you reply to her?”
• Mistake: “Please reply my question.”
  Correct: “Please reply to my question.”

Note: “Reply” can take a direct object when that object is a statement or a piece of information, but not a person. For example, “He replied that he was busy” is correct. But “He replied me that he was busy” is wrong.

Better Alternatives

If you want to avoid the “reply to” structure entirely, you can use these synonyms. They are all correct and natural.

• Answer: “Please answer me.” (Direct object allowed)
• Respond: “Please respond to me.” (Same rule as reply)
• Get back to: “Please get back to me.” (Informal, phrasal verb)
• Write back: “Please write back to me.” (Common in letters and emails)

For example, instead of saying “Reply me,” you can say “Answer me” or “Get back to me.” These are simpler and avoid the preposition problem.

Formal vs. Informal Tone

The rule “reply to” is the same in all tones. However, the context changes how you use it.

• Formal (business email): “We kindly ask that you reply to our inquiry by the end of the week.”
• Informal (text message): “Hey, reply to me when you can.”
• Neutral (conversation): “I’ll reply to you after I check my schedule.”

In very informal speech, some native speakers drop the “to” in fast speech, but this is considered non-standard. For example, “I’ll reply you later” might be heard in casual talk, but it is still grammatically incorrect. It is safer to always use “reply to.”

Mini Practice: 4 Questions

Test yourself. Choose the correct option for each sentence.

1. Please ______ when you receive this message.
   a) reply me
   b) reply to me
   c) reply
2. She didn’t ______ my email yesterday.
   a) reply to
   b) reply
   c) reply me
3. I will ______ as soon as I have the information.
   a) reply to you
   b) reply you
   c) reply
4. Did you ______ his question?
   a) reply
   b) reply to
   c) reply me

Answers

1. b) reply to me (or c) reply is also correct if no object is needed).
2. a) reply to (because “my email” is the object).
3. a) reply to you (or c) reply if you omit “you”).
4. b) reply to (because “his question” is the object).

FAQ

1. Is “reply me” ever correct in English?

No, “reply me” is never grammatically correct in standard English. You must say “reply to me.” Some regional dialects or informal speech may use it, but it is not accepted in writing, formal contexts, or standard conversation.

2. Can I say “reply my message”?

No. You need to say “reply to my message.” The same rule applies: “reply” requires “to” before the object. For example, “Please reply to my message” is correct.

3. What is the difference between “reply” and “respond”?

Both verbs are intransitive and require “to” before a person. “Respond” is slightly more formal. For example, “Please respond to me” is more formal than “Please reply to me.” The grammar rule is the same for both.

4. Is “reply back” correct?

“Reply back” is common in informal English, but it is redundant because “reply” already means to answer. Many native speakers use it in casual speech, but it is best avoided in formal writing. Use “reply” or “reply to” instead.

Final Note

Remember this simple rule: reply + to + person/thing. If you catch yourself saying or writing “reply me,” change it to “reply to me.” This small fix will make your English sound much more natural and correct. For more help with common grammar mistakes, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about email phrases, check our Email Phrase Corrections page. For speaking tips, see Speaking Mistake Fixes. And for general improvements, explore Better English Corrections. If you need further help, feel free to contact us.