reply和answer都有“回答”的意思,但它们区别如下:
reply是正式用语,作不及物动词,意为“回答”,指经过考虑而作出答复。其后接宾语时需用介词to,即reply to sb.
h.。它作及物动词时,意为“回答,回答说”; 作名词时,意为“答复”。如:
We wait on your reply to our letter.
我们等着你们的回信。
He replied that he might go.
他回答说他可能去。
When there was no reply, he pushed the door open.
没有人应答,他就把门推开了。
answer是普通用语,表示“回答,答复”,多用于一般性应答。它既是及物动词,又是不及物动词,作名词时意为“答复,答案”, 其后要跟to。如:
Did he answer your letter?
他给你回信了吗?
I wrote to him but I never had an answer back.
我写了信给他,但一直没收到回信。
Have you had an answer to your letter?
你那封信有回音没有?