Would you say the word 'reciprocate' (in the context of responding to a courtesy/greeting question by returning the exact same question) is too formal a word to expect in casual conversations.
- If so what are some more informal alternatives? Does the phrase "ask back" work? As in:
When someone greets you with 'how are you?', you have to ask back.
- Conversely, I would also like to ask for some formal alternatives as well.
Many thanks in advance.
Best Answer
Respond in kind.
Examples (also from Oxford):
‘Treat the players right, and they will respond in kind.’
‘The least that can be done is to take him seriously and to respond in kind.’
‘In kind, I ask him to withdraw and apologise because I do not like his claiming that I am a stooge of anyone else.’
‘I was finding it difficult to respond in kind to his teasing.’
‘And he responded to me in kind last night saying that he understood that and that it was an attack against him.’
Your example: