a consistent answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a consistent answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that remains the same across different instances or contexts, indicating reliability or stability in the information provided. Example: "In order to build trust with our clients, we must ensure that we provide a consistent answer to their inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I've yet to get a consistent answer from baristas as to what constitutes a flat white.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Quite what form that journey would have taken, however, was a question to which they never gave a consistent answer.

The Guardian

As I set out on my research, I expected to find a consistent answer to my questions.

The New York Times

"I thought as long as each bishop was doing his own thing we would never have a consistent answer, we would never have a good answer".

The Guardian

That morning, back in the post-colonial surroundings of our overpriced hotel, I had watched an array of speakers try and fail to give a consistent answer to that one simple question: how many people live in Kibera?

The Guardian

Smith (2004, 529) and Carlson (2005) both argue that the question can be given a consistent answer.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale is a brief, 5 item questionnaire with a consistent answering scheme for each item ranging from 'not anxious' to 'extremely anxious' [ 3].

BMC Oral Health

IT WOULD take me much too long to figure out a rationally or ethically consistent answer to the question of what libertarians can be blamed for, so I've been following the debate on that question, which my colleague responds to, with some trepidation.

The Economist

The problem is that this is a highly nuanced question to which there is no consistent answer, and about which we know too little.

The New Yorker

Roiphe gives no consistent answer to this question.

The New Yorker

The consistent answer seems to be that "rich" is anybody who has more than the person answering the question.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking "a consistent answer", ensure that the questions are clear and unambiguous to avoid varied interpretations. This is especially crucial in surveys or data collection where uniformity is paramount.

Common error

Do not assume that just because you receive "a consistent answer" across multiple sources, it is necessarily correct. Always verify information from multiple authoritative and independent sources to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a consistent answer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a response that is uniform and unwavering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a consistent answer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, primarily functioning as a noun phrase to emphasize the uniformity and reliability of a response. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness. Usage spans across News & Media and Science, reflecting its versatility. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that consistency doesn't come at the expense of accuracy; verify information from multiple authoritative sources. Related phrases include "a standardized answer" and "a unified answer", offering nuanced alternatives to express similar meanings. This phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standardized answer

Replaces 'consistent' with 'standardized', emphasizing adherence to a norm or standard.

a unified answer

Substitutes 'consistent' with 'unified', highlighting agreement or consensus.

a uniform answer

Uses 'uniform' in place of 'consistent', highlighting the sameness and lack of variation in the response.

a logical answer

Replaces 'consistent' with 'logical', focusing on the rationality and coherence of the response.

a reliable response

Changes 'answer' to 'response' and 'consistent' to 'reliable', emphasizing the dependability of the provided information.

a rigorous answer

Changes 'consistent' to 'rigorous', emphasizing thoroughness and accuracy in the response.

a cohesive answer

Replaces 'consistent' with 'cohesive', highlighting the well-integrated and logical nature of the response.

a systematic answer

Replaces 'consistent' with 'systematic', focusing on the structured and methodical nature of the response.

a unanimous answer

Substitutes 'consistent' with 'unanimous', emphasizing complete agreement among all parties.

a consistent answering

Focuses on the process of answering consistently rather than the answer itself. Grammatically, shifts from a noun phrase to a gerund phrase.

FAQs

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

"A consistent answer" can be used to describe a response that is uniform across different instances or from different sources. For example: "We need to provide "a consistent answer" to all customer inquiries regarding the new policy."

What can I say instead of "a consistent answer"?

You can use alternatives like "a standardized answer", "a unified answer", or "a reliable response" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a consistent answer" or "an consistent answer"?

"A consistent answer" is correct. The word "consistent" begins with a consonant sound, so it should be preceded by the indefinite article "a". Using "an" before a consonant sound is grammatically incorrect.

Why is it important to get "a consistent answer"?

Getting "a consistent answer" is important for clarity, reliability, and building trust. It indicates that the information is stable and not subject to arbitrary changes, which is especially crucial in areas like customer service, scientific research, and legal matters.