a favourable answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a favourable answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is positive or beneficial in nature, often in the context of requests or inquiries. Example: "After submitting my proposal, I was relieved to receive a favourable answer from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Calculations of mathematical expectation, as by Daniel Bernoulli, led unambiguously to a favourable answer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She's sure it's around, and is, as nominator untergunther says, "waiting for a favourable answer … to the question: 'Love, are you there?'" but it seems so elusive.

The Guardian - Music

It is understood that the paper was ­considering buying the horse or leasing it for the day, if a favourable answer had been given.

The Guardian - Sport

In the meantime, having no great hope of a favourable answer from Athens, they also sent off a galley with envoys to Lacedaemon, unobserved by the Athenian fleet which was anchored at Malea to the north of the town.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"If patients want to be honest and they give a less favourable answer they fear retribution.

The Guardian

They ranged from the "hmm" to the blatant to the eye-wateringly awful: I recall once the suggestion that I ask a question of another team, in a very airy and innocent manner, hair-twirling and all, to try and get a more favourable answer than previously.

The Guardian

You stand a good chance of a favourable response.

The Guardian - Money

She concluded: "I look forward to a favourable reply".

The Guardian

"This is a favourable resolution," said Jon Gelman, a lawyer representing asbestosis victims.

The Guardian - Business

A positive change indicated a favourable result.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Data derived from the Europep questionnaire were reduced to a two-level scale with the most favourable answer category coded as one and all other non-missing categories as zero.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "a favourable answer" with more specific language that reflects the precise nature of the positive response, such as "approval" or "agreement".

Common error

Avoid using "a favourable answer was received" when you can directly state who provided the answer, leading to a more active and engaging sentence, e.g., "The committee gave a favourable answer."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a favourable answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "favourable" modifies the noun "answer". Based on Ludwig's AI analysis, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a favourable answer" is a grammatically sound phrase that indicates a positive or agreeable response. Although relatively rare in usage, as noted by Ludwig, it appears in various contexts, including news media, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase can be made more impactful by substituting it with alternatives such as "a positive response" or "an affirmative reply", depending on the desired nuance. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider who is providing the answer for a more direct and engaging style. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and provides useful context for its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive response

Replaces "favourable" with "positive", emphasizing the affirmative nature of the answer.

an affirmative reply

Substitutes both words to give a more formal tone emphasizing agreement.

an encouraging response

Focuses on the inspiring or heartening aspect of the answer.

a satisfactory answer

Highlights that the answer meets expectations or requirements.

a promising answer

Suggests the answer indicates potential for future success.

a supportive answer

Implies the answer provides assistance or validation.

a helpful response

Emphasizes the utility or benefit provided by the answer.

a welcome answer

Highlights that the answer is gladly received.

a gratifying response

Stresses the pleasing or satisfying nature of the answer.

an agreeable reply

Suggests the answer is pleasing and easy to accept.

FAQs

What does "a favourable answer" mean?

A "favourable answer" is a positive or agreeable response, often indicating approval, agreement, or satisfaction with a request or inquiry.

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

You can use alternatives like "a positive response", "an affirmative reply", or "an encouraging response depending on the context.

Is "a favourable answer" formal or informal?

The phrase "a favourable answer" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal options might include "a thumbs up" or "a green light".

How to use "a favourable answer" in a sentence?

Example: After submitting my proposal, I was relieved to receive "a favourable answer" from the committee.