“Answer” vs. “Reply”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “answer” and “reply”

  • The main difference between "answer" and "reply" is that an answer is specifically in response to a question, while a reply can be to any type of message.
  • Answers are used often in an academic setting, while replies are used in communication.
  • An answer is typically the final solution or resolution to a problem, while a reply may just be an acknowledgment.
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What is the definition of “answer” and “reply”?

Answer
  • An answer is a response given to a specific question or problem.
  • It can require a level of knowledge or expertise to provide an answer.
  • It is often the final solution or explanation to a problem.
Reply
  • A reply is any response to a message, whether it is a question or not.
  • It can be a simple acknowledgment or a more detailed response.
  • It does not necessarily require expertise or knowledge to provide a reply.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Answer” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Answer
3,010,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I need an answer from you before I can move forward with this project.
  2. The correct answer to the math problem was 42.
  3. Please answer the phone because it could be an important call.
Reply
1,360,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She didn't reply to my text message until the next day.
  2. I'm waiting for his reply before I make any decisions.
  3. The company sent a reply to my email, but it didn't address my concerns.
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