a collective answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is given by a group rather than an individual. Example: "After much discussion, we arrived at a collective answer that satisfied everyone in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Because we have not been able to agree on a collective answer, the war continues to rage across America.

The Guardian

How can a collective answer to poverty be produced in a social system marked by a strong sense of individualism?

City, Territory and Architecture

The lack of a collective answer to this question highlights how little we value trust as a currency in health care.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It acknowledges the scale of the challenges we face and that they can be deeply upsetting, but also invites you to be part of a collective response, with no predetermined answers, to help make history figuring it out.

The Guardian

Ahead of the pope's encyclical, Jenkins wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune arguing that the pope's statement "will be successful if it helps all of us -- whatever our religious convictions -- to progress toward a 'responsible collective answer' to one of the great challenges of our age".

Huffington Post

"The effective struggle against global warming," the Pope has said, "will only be possible with a responsible collective answer that goes beyond particular interests and behavior and is developed free of political and economic pressures".[Libertarian-minded Republicans would recoil at the Pope's proposed big government solution for global warming. Then there are the dueling priorities.

Huffington Post

Given its size and influence, Brazil should seize the opportunity to be both a political and economic engine to trigger a different and more collective answer to crisis and strengthen the region in the face of an increasingly globalised and volatile economy (for example, Russia increased food imports from Brazil as a result of Europe's sanctions over its actions on Ukraine).

The Guardian

And I'm hoping very much that our collective answer will be: an insufferable prick.

Vice

The collective answer of the scientific community can be boiled down to a single word: probably.

The New York Times - Science

The collective answer proposed to the above question has been elaborated by thirty-year-old French-speaking researchers.

Comptes Rendus Chimie

Our collective answer needs to be: "We've already done everything, and now it's time not for rationing, but for rational care".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a collective answer" when you want to emphasize that a response is the result of group deliberation and agreement, rather than an individual's opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective answer" when referring to a situation where an individual is solely responsible for providing the answer or solution. The phrase implies shared input and agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It refers to a response or solution that is the result of a group's collaborative effort.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective answer" refers to a response derived from group collaboration and agreement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not overly common, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the answer genuinely represents a group consensus, as opposed to an individual's perspective. Consider alternatives like "a group response" or "a unified response" to best fit the specific context. "A collective answer" emphasizes shared responsibility and highlights the collaborative nature of the solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group response

Focuses on the group aspect of the answer, emphasizing that it comes from multiple individuals.

a unified response

Highlights the agreement and harmony within the group providing the answer.

a consensus decision

Emphasizes the agreement achieved through discussion and compromise.

a joint resolution

Implies a formal agreement or decision made by a group, often in a legislative or organizational context.

a communal solution

Stresses the shared nature of the solution and the involvement of the community.

a team's conclusion

Highlights the collaborative effort of a team in reaching a conclusion.

an agreed-upon response

Emphasizes the process of reaching an agreement on the answer.

a combined answer

Suggests that the answer is a result of merging individual contributions.

a shared understanding

Focuses on the common comprehension achieved by the group, leading to a unified perspective.

a collaborative response

Highlights the cooperative nature of the response, emphasizing the joint effort involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a collective answer" to describe a response that is the result of group discussion and agreement. For example, "After the team meeting, we arrived at "a collective answer" that addressed all concerns."

What are some alternatives to "a collective answer"?

Alternatives to "a collective answer" include "a group response", "a unified response", or "a consensus decision". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a collective answer"?

It's appropriate to use "a collective answer" when the response comes from a group that has discussed and agreed upon the solution. It emphasizes the shared responsibility and input.

What is the difference between "a collective answer" and "an individual answer"?

"A collective answer" represents the shared perspective of a group, whereas "an individual answer" reflects the opinion or solution of a single person. The former emphasizes collaboration, while the latter highlights individual expertise or responsibility.