Quick Answer

Use “reply to me” or “get back to me” instead of “reply me.” In very informal spoken English, you might hear “reply back to me,” but this is redundant. For emails, use “Please reply to me” or “I look forward to your reply.”

Why “Reply Me” Is Wrong

The verb “reply” belongs to a group of verbs that require a preposition before the object. Think of similar verbs: “talk to me,” “listen to me,” “speak to me.” You would never say “talk me” or “listen me” in standard English. “Reply” works the same way. The preposition “to” is essential.

Formal vs. Informal Tone

In formal writing and professional emails, “reply to me” is the only correct choice. In very casual conversation, native speakers sometimes drop the “to” in rapid speech, but this is considered non-standard and should be avoided by learners. For example, a native speaker might text “Reply me ASAP” to a close friend, but this is a slang shortcut, not correct grammar.

Email and Conversation Context

In email, you should always use “reply to me” or the more common “get back to me.” In conversation, “reply to me” can sound a bit stiff. Native speakers often use “answer me” or “get back to me” instead. For example:

• Email (formal): “Please reply to me at your earliest convenience.”
• Conversation (neutral): “Can you reply to me by tomorrow?”
• Conversation (informal): “Get back to me when you can.”

Comparison Table: “Reply Me” vs. Correct Alternatives

Natural Examples

Here are sentences that show how native speakers actually use “reply” correctly in different situations.

• Email: “Thank you for your message. I will reply to you as soon as I have the information.”
• Phone call: “I missed your call. Please reply to my voicemail when you get a chance.”
• Text message: “Hey, can you reply to my question? I need to know your plans.”
• Formal letter: “We kindly ask that you reply to us within seven working days.”
• Customer service: “Our team will reply to your inquiry within 24 hours.”

Common Mistakes

Learners often make these errors. Study them carefully to avoid them in your own writing and speech.

• Mistake: “Please reply me soon.”
  Correction: “Please reply to me soon.”
• Mistake: “I replied him yesterday.”
  Correction: “I replied to him yesterday.”
• Mistake: “She didn’t reply my email.”
  Correction: “She didn’t reply to my email.”
• Mistake: “Can you reply my question?”
  Correction: “Can you answer my question?” or “Can you reply to my question?”
• Mistake: “I am waiting for you to reply me.”
  Correction: “I am waiting for you to reply to me.”

Better Alternatives

Sometimes “reply to me” is not the most natural choice. Here are better alternatives for different situations.

• Get back to me: Best for informal conversation and email. Example: “Get back to me when you have the details.”
• Answer me: Use when you expect a direct answer to a question. Example: “Answer me honestly.”
• Respond to me: Slightly more formal than “reply to me.” Example: “Please respond to me by Friday.”
• Write back to me: Good for letters or long emails. Example: “Write back to me when you arrive.”
• Let me know: Very common and natural. Example: “Let me know what you think.”

When to Use “Reply to Me”

Use “reply to me” in these situations:

• In professional emails where you need a response.
• In formal written requests.
• When speaking to someone you do not know well.
• In academic or business writing.
• When you want to be grammatically correct in any context.

Avoid “reply me” in all situations. Even in casual texting, it marks you as a non-native speaker. If you want to sound natural, use “get back to me” or “let me know” instead.

Mini Practice: Test Yourself

Choose the correct option for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. Please _______ when you have time.
   a) reply me
   b) reply to me
   c) reply me back
2. I am waiting for her to _______ my message.
   a) reply
   b) reply to
   c) reply me
3. Did you _______ his question?
   a) reply to
   b) reply
   c) reply me
4. She never _______ my emails.
   a) replies to
   b) replies
   c) replies me

Answers

1. b) reply to me
2. b) reply to
3. a) reply to
4. a) replies to

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. “Reply me” is not considered correct in any standard dialect of English, including American, British, Australian, or Canadian English. You may hear it in some regional or non-native varieties, but it is always a mistake in standard English.

2. Can I use “reply back to me”?

Technically, “reply back” is redundant because “reply” already means to answer. However, it is very common in informal spoken English. For example, “Reply back to me when you can” is acceptable in casual conversation but should be avoided in formal writing.

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

“Reply” and “respond” are very similar, but “respond” is slightly more formal and can imply a more thoughtful or detailed answer. Both require the preposition “to” before an object. You can say “respond to me” or “reply to me” with the same grammar rule.

4. How do I say “reply me” correctly in an email subject line?

In an email subject line, you do not need a full sentence. You can write “Reply requested” or “Please reply.” If you must include the person, write “Reply to me” or “Your reply needed.” Never write “Reply me” in a subject line.

For more help with common grammar mistakes, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about email phrases, check Email Phrase Corrections. For speaking practice, see Speaking Mistake Fixes. You can also explore Better English Corrections for broader help. For any questions about our content, please read our Editorial Policy or visit our FAQ page.