Is It Correct to Say ‘reply me’?

No, it is not correct to say “reply me” in standard English. The verb “reply” requires the preposition “to” before an object. The correct phrase is “reply to me.” This is a common mistake for learners whose native language allows a direct object after “reply,” but English grammar does not. You must always use “reply to” when mentioning the person you are answering.

Quick Answer

Use “reply to me” (with “to”) in all formal and most informal situations. Never use “reply me” alone. The only exception is in very casual, spoken, or text-based English where the object is implied, but even then, “reply to me” is safer and clearer.

Why “Reply Me” Is Wrong

The verb “reply” is intransitive in standard English grammar. This means it cannot take a direct object. You cannot “reply someone” the same way you can “answer someone.” Instead, you must add the preposition “to” to connect the verb to the person or thing being answered.

Compare these two verbs:

• Answer – transitive: “Please answer me.” (Correct, no preposition needed)
• Reply – intransitive: “Please reply to me.” (Correct, “to” is required)

This difference is the root of the error. Many learners transfer the pattern from “answer” to “reply,” but English treats them differently.

Formal vs. Informal Context

The rule applies across all levels of formality. In formal emails, business writing, or academic work, you must use “reply to me” or “reply to my email.” In informal conversation or text messages, native speakers sometimes drop the object entirely (“I’ll reply later”) but rarely say “reply me.” If they do, it is considered non-standard or a dialectal variation, not correct English.

Formal Examples

• Please reply to me by Friday.
• Kindly reply to my message at your earliest convenience.
• I look forward to your reply to my inquiry.

Informal Examples

• Can you reply to me when you get a chance?
• I texted you – why didn’t you reply to me?
• Just reply to me later, no rush.

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

Natural Examples

Here are real-life sentences that show how native speakers use “reply” correctly:

• I sent you a message yesterday. Could you please reply to me today?
• She never replied to my question during the meeting.
• We need to reply to the client before the end of the day.
• He replied to my email within an hour.
• Why didn’t you reply to my invitation?

Common Mistakes

Below are frequent errors learners make, along with the correct versions:

• Mistake: “Please reply me as soon as possible.”
  Correct: “Please reply to me as soon as possible.”
• 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: “He never replies my texts.”
  Correct: “He never replies to my texts.”

Better Alternatives

If you want to avoid the “reply to” construction entirely, you can use these alternatives depending on the situation:

• Answer – “Please answer me.” (Direct, no preposition)
• Get back to – “Please get back to me.” (Informal, common in workplace chat)
• Respond to – “Please respond to my email.” (Formal, similar to “reply to”)
• Write back – “Please write back to me.” (Informal, friendly)

Each alternative has a slightly different tone. “Answer” is neutral and direct. “Get back to” is casual. “Respond to” is more formal. “Write back” is warm and personal.

When to Use “Reply to Me”

Use “reply to me” in these situations:

• In any professional email or written communication.
• When speaking to a colleague, boss, or client.
• In academic writing or formal reports.
• In everyday conversation where clarity matters.
• When the person you are addressing is not obvious from context.

Do not use “reply me” in any of these situations. It will sound incorrect to native speakers and may confuse your reader.

Mini Practice Section

Test your understanding. Choose the correct option for each sentence.

1. Please ______ when you have time.
   a) reply me
   b) reply to me
2. She didn’t ______ my question.
   a) reply to
   b) reply
3. I need you to ______ the invitation.
   a) reply
   b) reply to
4. Why won’t he ______?
   a) reply me
   b) reply to me

Answers

1. b) reply to me
2. a) reply to (because “my question” is the object)
3. b) reply to (because “the invitation” is the object)
4. b) reply to me

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is “reply me” ever correct in any dialect?

In some regional dialects or informal speech, you might hear “reply me,” but it is not considered standard English. In professional or academic settings, always use “reply to me.”

2. Can I say “reply back to me”?

Yes, but “reply back” is redundant because “reply” already means to answer. It is common in casual speech but avoid it in formal writing. Use “reply to me” instead.

3. What about “reply my email”?

No, this is also incorrect. You must say “reply to my email.” The same rule applies: “reply” needs “to” before the object.

4. Is “reply” always followed by “to”?

Not always. If there is no object, you can use “reply” alone. For example: “I will reply later.” But if you mention the person or thing you are replying to, you must use “to.”

Final Note

Remember this simple rule: if you can replace “reply” with “answer” and the sentence still works without “to,” then “reply” needs “to.” For example, “Answer me” is correct, so “Reply to me” is correct. “Answer my email” is correct, so “Reply to my email” is correct. Keep this trick in mind, and you will never make the “reply me” mistake again.

For more help with common grammar errors in workplace English, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about email phrases, check Email Phrase Corrections. For speaking mistakes, see Speaking Mistake Fixes. And for general corrections, browse Better English Corrections.