Which word completes the sentence: 'We appreciate your prompt reply; thanks for ______ back to me.'

• A. Going
• B. Giving
• C. Getting
• D. Gaining

Answer: (C)

The key idea is using the right form after “thanks for” to describe the action you’re thanking someone for. After this phrase, English often uses the -ing form to turn the verb into a noun-like idea of the action. In this sentence, the action is replying, so the natural expression is “getting back to me.” The phrasal verb “get back to someone” is a common way to say “reply to someone.”

So, “We appreciate your prompt reply; thanks for getting back to me” sounds natural and means “thanks for replying to me.” The other options don’t fit the intended meaning: they don’t convey the act of replying in this context, making them awkward or incorrect here.