a conventional answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conventional answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a typical or standard response to a question or situation. Example: "In discussions about climate change, a conventional answer often revolves around the need for renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A conventional answer is gas.

The New York Times

(He could, he writes, have given them a conventional answer: "'A bit up and down.' That would have been a proper, prim and English answer. Except that the griefstruck rarely feel either proper, prim, or even English").

The Guardian - Books

There is a conventional answer to the "why we get fat" question: We eat too much.

Los Angeles Times

"We regard this as a radical solution to a conventional problem with a conventional answer". Other opponents, including the Fontana, Ontario and San Bernardino chambers of commerce, some San Bernardino County supervisors, the county Sheriff's Assn.

Los Angeles Times

A conventional answer would be to say that it tracked the change in Britain's prosperity emerging from the dowdy chrysalis of the late 1970s and transforming into a vulgar, loud butterfly of the Thatcher decades and the long boom that followed them".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But there is a strong case to be made for a less conventional answer: the modern world began on a freezing New Year's Eve, in 1600, when Elizabeth I granted a company of 218 merchants a monopoly of trade to the east of the Cape of Good Hope.The East India Company foreshadowed the modern world in all sorts of striking ways.

The Economist

The conventional answer of a box full of donated canned fruit, rice and beans, and the odd piece of eggplant is being supplemented, and in some cases replaced with new options: complete premade meals for takeout, for example, or frozen family-size portions of chili and spaghetti sauce.

The New York Times

The conventional answer is to get a mandate from the top.

Harvard Business Review

If the author's objective is to durably move the law to his or her ideal holding, the conventional answer is no, because there is a cost and no corresponding benefit.

Duke University

The conventional answer is that when it comes to sex, a certain kind of man, no matter how intelligent, doesn't think at all; he just acts.

The New York Times

But at some point a conglomerate that is already hard to manage risks becoming unwieldy.Without WelchThe conventional answer to GE's internal Y2K problem, "No More Jack" (or "NMJ"), is to point to its depth of management talent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a conventional answer", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the answer is considered typical or standard. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a conventional answer" if you aim to present original insights or critical analysis. Seek alternative perspectives and challenge established norms for a more nuanced discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conventional answer" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a typical or standard response to a question or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conventional answer" is a noun phrase used to denote a typical or standard response. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While relatively uncommon, its usage implies a widely accepted viewpoint that is often presented as a baseline for further analysis or critique. When employing this phrase, be mindful of its potential to oversimplify complex issues and consider challenging conventional thinking for a more nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical response

Focuses on the commonality and expected nature of the answer.

a standard reply

Emphasizes the standardized and routine nature of the answer.

a common explanation

Highlights that the answer is a frequently given reason or justification.

an orthodox solution

Stresses adherence to established or traditional methods.

a predictable answer

Highlights the lack of surprise or originality in the response.

a run-of-the-mill response

Suggests the answer is ordinary and unexceptional.

a textbook case answer

Implies that the answer is something right out of a manual.

the usual suspect answer

Highlights the answer as something predictable and likely to be given.

a customary response

Highlights the answer as something done or presented by custom.

a hackneyed explanation

Highlights that the answer is something so lacking in freshness or originality as to be worn out

FAQs

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

You can use "a conventional answer" to introduce a commonly held belief or typical response, often setting it up for critique or contrast. For example, "A conventional answer is that success requires hard work, but luck also plays a role."

What are some alternatives to "a conventional answer"?

Consider using phrases like "a typical response", "a standard reply", or "a common explanation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a widely accepted or traditional viewpoint, especially when you plan to offer an alternative or challenge that perspective.

Is "a conventional answer" always the correct answer?

Not necessarily. "A conventional answer" represents a common or traditional viewpoint, but it may not always be the most accurate, innovative, or effective solution. It's essential to critically evaluate conventional answers and consider alternative perspectives.