a cautious answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cautious answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is careful, measured, or avoids taking risks. Example: "When asked about the controversial topic, she provided a cautious answer to avoid offending anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then he added, with an apologetic look, "I know that's a cautious answer, but under the circumstances it's the best I can give".

The New York Times

Ronald Noble, the head of INTERPOL, reckons this will eventually make it tougher for, say, producers of counterfeit pharmaceuticals to get their fakes into legitimate supply chains.Asked where Google will focus its efforts in future, Eric Schmidt, the firm's executive chairman, gives a cautious answer.

The Economist

After a yearlong debate over whether grade inflation exists at Harvard, and whether -- if it does -- it blurs the distinction between truly excellent students and those who are merely good, a committee of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences came back with a cautious answer of yes to both questions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a blog post, Nest's vice president of engineering Matt Rogers set out a question-and-answer set, where a key one was "Will Nest customer data be shared with Google?" To which Rogers's cautious answer is: "Our privacy policy clearly limits the use of customer information to providing and improving Nest's products and services.

The Guardian - Tech

Where is our optimism now? …Machine learning, is the cautious answer.

TechCrunch

And, in a series of cautious answers that reflected the power of the issue, both men also reiterated their support for giving same-sex couples the right to form civil unions but repeated their opposition to gay marriage.

The New York Times

He is trying to remain "Johnny B. Goode" (the song blares over a loudspeaker at some McCain rallies), giving relatively cautious answers and trying to rein in his pugnacity, if not his wisecracks.

The New York Times

"We're getting fairly reasonable, if cautious, answers," said David Gibson, one of three partners.

The New York Times

First, this is pretty plainly a cautious politician's answer, not a true-believing Young-Earth Creationist's.

The New York Times

Descriptions of "jack-booted thugs" and "storm troopers" have been all but muted in the last few days, replaced by a cautious call for answers, maybe even just written ones, from the Justice Department about its decision to send heavily armed agents into a private home.

The New York Times

In the other cases, he said: "We're adopting a cautious approach because the answer depends on individual facts and circumstances to define whether the replacement property is substantially identical to the property that is sold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cautious answer", consider specifying the context or reasons for the caution to provide a clearer understanding of the response's nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a cautious answer" repeatedly in a single text. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Instead, consider alternatives like "a guarded reply" or "a measured response" to add nuance and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cautious answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "cautious" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the type or quality of the response being given. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to characterize a response that is deliberate, careful, and avoids overcommitment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cautious answer" is a noun phrase used to describe a response that is deliberate, careful, and avoids overcommitting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its use in professional and neutral settings. When employing this phrase, it is essential to consider the context and potential need for alternative expressions to prevent overuse. Alternatives like "a guarded reply" or "a measured response" can provide nuanced variations while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a circumspect response

Emphasizes the prudence and careful consideration behind the answer.

a well-considered response

Focuses on the thoughtfulness and deliberation involved in crafting the answer.

a guarded reply

Highlights the protective or defensive nature of the answer.

a measured response

Highlights the controlled and deliberate nature of the answer.

a prudent statement

Emphasizes the wisdom and foresight behind the answer.

a noncommittal statement

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision or opinion in the response.

a strategic reply

Highlights the calculated and purposeful nature of the answer.

a tentative explanation

Suggests the answer is provisional and subject to change.

a diplomatic answer

Suggests the answer aims to avoid conflict or maintain good relations.

an evasive reply

Indicates the answer avoids directness or full disclosure.

FAQs

How can I use "a cautious answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a cautious answer" to describe a response that is carefully considered and avoids taking risks. For instance, "When asked about the company's future, the CEO gave "a cautious answer", emphasizing the need for continued innovation".

What are some alternatives to "a cautious answer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a guarded reply", "a measured response", or "a circumspect response".

When is it appropriate to give "a cautious answer"?

It's appropriate to give "a cautious answer" when you need to avoid making commitments, reveal sensitive information, or potentially offend someone. This type of answer is often used in political discussions or business negotiations.

What does it mean when someone provides "a cautious answer"?

It generally means the person is being careful and deliberate in their response. They may be trying to avoid controversy, protect sensitive information, or simply not commit to a particular course of action.