[Idiom] reply to the question I asked

[Will17]

Hello!

Can we say: He replied rather drily to the question I asked.


Thank you
Will

 

[Will17]

Yes, that is fine. I would like to point out that the way you presented the question is incorrect. "Can we say", indicates whether or not we have the ability to say. It would be better if you started with, "Is it correct to say?"

Understood.

Thank you
Will

 

[SoothingDave]

"Drily" (or dryly) is an uncommon word. I had to look it up to see if it even existed as an adverb.

 

[Will17]

"Drily" (or dryly) is an uncommon word. I had to look it up to see if it even existed as an adverb.

I actually didn't know it either before trying to find the right translation for "sèchement"....

 

[bhaisahab]

I actually didn't know it either before trying to find the right translation for "sèchement"....

"Drily" is the correct translation for "sèchement". It's common enough in BrE.

 

[Raymott]

"Drily" is the correct translation for "sèchement". It's common enough in BrE.

It's quite common here too.
"Please hand me a beer," he said drily.

 

[5jj]

I would like to point out that the way you presented the question is incorrect. "Can we say", indicates whether or not we have the ability to say. It would be better if you started with, "Is it correct to say?"

I do not agree that 'Can we say' is incorrect these days. It is now common - and acceptable, in my opinion.

 

[5jj]

Well... we all have opinions, don't we.

True.

As someone educated in the 1950s, I still use "May I...?" when most native speakers use "Can I ...?" for "Have I your permission to ...?" / "Is it OK if I ...?".

In modern English, as most grammarians now agree, "Can I ...?" can mean "Have I your permission to ...?" / "Is it OK if I ...?". It can also mean "Is it possible to ...?"

Even when I was at school, the old:

Pupil: Please, sir. Can I go to the toilet?
Teacher: yes, you can, but you may not.

was regarded as outdatedly prescriptive.