a relevant answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relevant answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the appropriateness or suitability of a response to a question or topic. Example: "In order to move forward, we need a relevant answer to the concerns raised during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It would be easy to link to a precise definition, but that doesn't really provide a relevant answer.

The Guardian

The AI responds to voice queries by searching for a relevant answer in the vast amount of data it was fed, but it has no real understanding of what it says.

MIT Technology Review

Try to ascertain the reasoning behind the question so that you can give a relevant answer, or answer honestly but seek clarification, Walker adds.

Science Magazine

Nevertheless, if the user knows that both these football players played together in Manchester United, then he/she may create another query like the one shown in the Fig. 3, to receive a relevant answer.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Mobspin's biggest obstacle will lie in obtaining critical mass – there isn't much point in searching the database or submitting a question if you can never find a relevant answer.

TechCrunch

You're not even close to getting a relevant answer no matter how you look at it!

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Therefore, further studies with a greater number of patients could provide a more relevant answer regarding AFP normalization.

BMC Cancer

For relevance questions, 'Not at all relevant' answers received zero points, with each sequential answer receiving one point more than the previous, all the way through to five points for an 'Extremely relevant' answer.

Nature

Mr Andrews has asked Mr Jones to refer all "relevant answers" to an independent investigation into what the first minister has said about claims of bullying in his government in 2014.

BBC

It promised "a basic examination" of the issues raised by the Commission, saying "our goal is to provide a full and relevant answer".

BBC

The problem when using the findings for therapeutic decision-making is examining efficiently as many CpGs as are necessary to provide a clinically dependable and relevant answer for an individual patient.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, prefer "a pertinent reply" or "an applicable response" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid providing an answer that is only tangentially related to the question. Ensure the information is directly applicable and avoids unnecessary details or off-topic information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relevant answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "relevant" is an adjective modifying the noun "answer". It typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., "provide a relevant answer") or as a complement describing the quality of an answer.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a relevant answer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a response directly related to a question or topic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to indicate the appropriateness and applicability of an answer. While it maintains a neutral register, alternative phrases like "an applicable response" or "a pertinent reply" can add formality. The frequency of the phrase is common, and Ludwig examples showcase its usage in news, science, and business contexts. Make sure your answer actually addresses the question you're attempting to answer; avoid irrelevant or only tangentially related information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an applicable response

Replaces "relevant" with "applicable", emphasizing suitability for a particular situation.

a pertinent reply

Substitutes "relevant" with "pertinent", highlighting the directness and importance of the answer.

a fitting response

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the answer to the question or situation.

a suitable reply

Similar to "fitting response", but focuses on the acceptability of the answer.

an appropriate answer

Uses "appropriate" instead of "relevant", stressing the correctness of the answer in the given context.

a germane response

Replaces "relevant" with "germane", indicating a close and logical connection to the topic.

a connected response

Simple transformation, focusing on association between the answer and the question.

a related response

Highlights the relationship between the question and the answer.

an on-topic response

Casual alternative, indicating the answer stays within the scope of the discussion.

a well-aimed answer

Metaphorical alternative, suggesting the answer directly addresses the core issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a relevant answer" to describe a response that is appropriate and directly related to the question or topic, such as, "The student provided "a relevant answer" to the professor's question".

What's the difference between "a relevant answer" and "an appropriate answer"?

While both terms are similar, "a relevant answer" emphasizes the direct connection to the topic, whereas "an appropriate answer" focuses more on the suitability and correctness of the response in a given context.

Which is better, "a relevant answer" or "a pertinent answer"?

"A pertinent answer" is often considered more formal and emphasizes the directness and importance of the response, while "a relevant answer" is more general and widely used.

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

You can use alternatives like "an applicable response", "a pertinent reply", or "a fitting response" depending on the context.