a timely answer to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a timely answer to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a response that is provided within an appropriate or expected timeframe. Example: "I appreciate your efforts in providing a timely answer to my inquiry about the project status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All this left me remembering the time I texted one son during math class needing a timely answer to an urgent question.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

JustAnswer.com is an interesting site on which you can get important and timely answers to your questions.

Huffington Post

Gavin is the founder and CEO of AMEE, which provides trusted, comprehensive and timely answers to millions of environmental questions.

The Guardian

Gavin is the founder and chair of AMEE, which provides trusted, comprehensive and timely answers to millions of environmental questions.

The Guardian

While science pursues new areas of inquiry, decision making requires timely answers to questions about risks and hazards to public health in order to mitigate future or current potential harm.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Akio Toyoda and Lloyd Blankfein went to Washington for very different reasons: Toyoda to answer for serious quality problems related to sudden acceleration and an alleged failure to report them in a timely fashion; Blankfein to answer for perceived ethical issues related to possible conflicts of interests during the 2007–08 financial crisis.

Forbes

To suppose alternatively that Oxford wrote the plays and poems before 1604 and then put them away in a drawer, to be brought out after his death and updated to make them appear timely, is to invent an answer to a nonexistent problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new algorithm -- by Manindra Agrawal, Neeraj Kayal and Nitin Saxena of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur -- guarantees a correct and timely answer.

The New York Times

But it had pearls: meta-comedy from Murder In Successville; a timely fly on a distant wall in American High School; and, in Thirteen, a millennial answer to The Missing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Given that this weekend is filled with programs created and danced by men, it seemed like a timely moment to seek some answers.

The New York Times

Looking for an answer to this most timely question, Bulmahn visited German postdocs at Stanford University, California, in January this year.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a timely answer to" when you want to emphasize that the response was not only correct but also provided within a relevant or expected timeframe. This highlights efficiency and attentiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a timely answer to" when the timing of the response is not particularly significant or relevant. In some cases, a simpler phrase like "an answer to" or "a response to" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a timely answer to" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement within a sentence. It highlights the provision of a response that is both correct and appropriately timed. As suggested by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a timely answer to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to underscore the importance of a response being not only accurate but also delivered within an appropriate timeframe. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. While versatile, consider alternative phrasing like "a prompt response to" or "an immediate solution to" depending on the context. The phrase finds frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts, emphasizing responsiveness and efficiency. Be mindful to reserve its usage for scenarios where timing is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of the response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prompt response to

Emphasizes speed and immediacy in providing a response.

a quick reply to

Highlights the brevity and speed of the answer.

an immediate solution to

Focuses on providing a solution without delay.

a rapid response to

Similar to 'prompt', but can suggest a more organized or systematic response.

a swift answer to

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the response.

a fast resolution to

Highlights the speed at which a problem is resolved.

a speedy reply to

Similar to 'quick', but can imply a more casual or informal context.

an expedited answer to

Suggests the answer was provided faster than usual.

a punctual answer to

Emphasizes that the answer was provided exactly when expected.

a well-timed answer to

Focuses on the appropriateness of the timing of the answer.

FAQs

How can I use "a timely answer to" in a sentence?

You can use "a timely answer to" when emphasizing that a response was not only correct but also provided within an appropriate or expected timeframe. For instance, "The company provided "a timely answer to" the customer's urgent inquiry" shows they responded quickly.

What are some alternatives to "a timely answer to"?

Alternatives include "a prompt response to", "a quick reply to", or "an immediate solution to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it best to use "a timely answer to" instead of a simpler phrase like "an answer to"?

Use "a timely answer to" when the timing of the response is particularly important or noteworthy. If the speed of the answer is not a key factor, "an answer to" may be sufficient.

What's the difference between "a timely answer to" and "a quick answer to"?

"A timely answer to" emphasizes that the response was provided at the appropriate or expected time, while "a quick answer to" simply highlights the speed of the response, regardless of whether it was particularly expected at that moment.