a sincere answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sincere answer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a noun and is typically used when referring to an honest answer given to a question. For example: "The interviewer was looking for a sincere answer to her question about the applicant's qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"To hear the sincerity straight from his heart, I do believe that it was a sincere answer and that he has converted his answer".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Again a sincere, supportive answer was called for even if the outcome remained highly uncertain.

Huffington Post

"And he gave me kind of three-minute sincere answer.

The New York Times

My sincere answer is, I could not imagine going through my Ph.D. without him.

Science Magazine

His words tapped into a wider feeling that CEOs are out of touch and unwilling, or unable, to respond to tough questions with sincere answers.

The Guardian - Business

A few minutes later, across the locker room, Mathias Kiwanuka spoke in soft tones, trying to offer more sincere answers when asked about the difficulties he has encountered this season shifting from defensive end.

The New York Times

Be prepared with personal, sincere answers to questions the interviewers are likely to ask you.

Science Magazine

In my experience, sincerity and transparency were key to earning the trust of voters, i.e. being myself, being open and accessible, answer any questions from voters and providing them with honest and sincere answers.

Forbes

The purpose is to give sincere answers, not to insult the interviewer's intelligence.

WikiHow

In any case, pro tip: If you're a business serious about user engagement on Twitter, go out of your way to sincerely answer sincere questions from users, no matter how many followers they have.

TechCrunch

The Kids run the gamut, from Mr. McCulloch, who in his trademark scarf makes a sincere effort to answer questions, to the chatty Mr. Thompson to Mr. Foley, who radiates smug boredom.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking feedback or opinions, specify that you are looking for "a sincere answer" to encourage honest and thoughtful responses. This helps avoid superficial or unhelpful replies.

Common error

Avoid automatically equating "a sincere answer" with the response you want to hear. Sincerity relates to the honesty of the response, not necessarily its agreement with your viewpoint. Be prepared for potentially critical or dissenting "a sincere answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sincere answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "sincere" modifies the noun "answer". It is typically used to describe the quality of an answer, emphasizing its honesty and genuineness, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science & Research

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sincere answer" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an honest and genuine response, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science & Research, and Wiki contexts. While sincerity is valued, it's important to remember that it relates to the honesty of the answer, not necessarily its agreement with one's own views. Related phrases include "an honest response" and "a genuine reply". When using this phrase, aim for clear communication that values truthfulness and authenticity, but be mindful of the context and potential impact of complete honesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an honest response

Replaces "sincere" with "honest", emphasizing truthfulness.

a genuine reply

Substitutes both "sincere" and "answer" with synonyms that highlight authenticity and response.

a heartfelt response

Emphasizes the emotional sincerity behind the answer.

a truthful response

Focuses on the veracity of the answer.

a candid reply

Highlights the frankness and openness of the response.

an authentic answer

Stresses the originality and lack of pretense in the response.

a frank response

Similar to 'candid', emphasizing directness.

a straightforward answer

Highlights clarity and directness, without evasion.

a genuine answer

Focuses on the absence of deceit.

an earnest answer

Highlights the seriousness and good faith behind the answer.

FAQs

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

"A sincere answer" typically refers to an honest and genuine response to a question. For example, "The interviewer was looking for a sincere answer about the candidate's weaknesses."

What's the difference between "a sincere answer" and "a candid answer"?

"A sincere answer" implies honesty and genuineness, while "a candid answer" suggests frankness and openness, potentially revealing uncomfortable truths. A sincere answer may still be diplomatic, while a candid one prioritizes directness.

What are some alternatives to "a sincere answer"?

Depending on the context, you could use "an honest response", "a genuine reply", or "a heartfelt response" as alternatives to "a sincere answer".

Is it always appropriate to expect "a sincere answer"?

While sincerity is generally valued, there are situations where diplomacy or tact may be more appropriate. Demanding "a sincere answer" could lead to unnecessary conflict or hurt feelings in sensitive contexts. Consider the potential impact of complete honesty before insisting on it.