a wise answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wise answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that demonstrates good judgment or insight. Example: "After much consideration, she finally provided a wise answer to the complex question posed by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That seems a wise answer.

The Guardian

Berezovsky told him that this was a wise answer.

The Guardian

Inspirational quote: "A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Did he tell the Foreign Minister that there is no question of Spain being allowed to enter the European Community so long as the restrictions on the border continue against Gibraltarians and British citizens?" Telling McQuarrie that he was "rightly, continuously astute on this matter", Howe went on to make an emollient answer – a wise response whenever McQuarrie was on the warpath.

Independent

And in that they would lead us into a just and compassionate and a wise legislative answer.

Huffington Post

The standard worldly wise answer to this question is to answer no.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I suspect the wise answer may be to let it go after that, once we know – at £191m let's hope we do – what actually happened and why.

The Guardian

Here are the thought leader's wise answers to a few of Oprah's biggest questions -- about love, life... and the afterlife.

Huffington Post

"And he says to me, 'How do you sleep at night?' I told him, 'I'll take a sleeping pill.' They got the wise answers?

The New York Times

Referring to the part of Wise's confession in which he demonstrates how the other boys supposedly punched Meili, Lederer asks, "Did the police make you do what you did on the videotape, punching with both fists?" Wise answers: "Somehow".

The New York Times - Books

"That's not a wise thing to do, answer questions in this forum at this time," said Robert Trout, Mr. Tilney's attorney in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wise answer", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the thoughtfulness or insightfulness of the response. Avoid using it for simple or obvious answers.

Common error

Don't use "a wise answer" for responses that are merely correct or polite. Reserve it for situations where the answer reflects genuine insight or understanding. Consider using simpler terms like "good answer" or "correct response" in less complex scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wise answer" functions as a noun phrase where "wise" is an adjective modifying the noun "answer". It typically describes the quality of the answer, indicating that it demonstrates good judgment or profound understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wise answer" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a response characterized by good judgment, insight, and thoughtfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its use by highlighting the insightful or thoughtful nature of the answer and avoid using it when simpler terms suffice. Consider alternatives like "an astute response" or "a judicious reply" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an astute response

Replaces "wise" with "astute", emphasizing keen intelligence and perceptiveness in the answer.

a judicious reply

Substitutes "wise" with "judicious", highlighting the answer's careful consideration and sound judgment.

a sagacious response

Replaces "wise" with "sagacious", which suggests profound wisdom and insight.

a thoughtful answer

Emphasizes the consideration and depth of thought behind the answer.

an insightful response

Focuses on the answer's ability to provide a deeper understanding or revelation.

a clever solution

Shifts from a direct answer to a solution, emphasizing ingenuity.

a well-considered response

Highlights the careful deliberation and thought that went into forming the answer.

an intelligent reply

Replaces "wise" with "intelligent", focusing on the answer's cognitive sharpness.

a prudent response

Emphasizes the caution and practicality of the answer.

a sensible answer

Highlights the answer's practicality and alignment with common sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wise answer" to describe a response that demonstrates good judgment or deep understanding, as in "The judge offered "a wise answer" to the complex legal question".

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

You can use alternatives like "an astute response", "a judicious reply", or "a thoughtful answer" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

It is appropriate to use "a wise answer" when the response reflects significant insight, understanding, or good judgment, rather than just being factually correct. For example, it would be fitting to describe a solution to a complex problem as "a wise answer".

Is "a wise answer" always the best way to describe a thoughtful response?

While "a wise answer" is a good option, other phrases such as "an insightful response" or "a well-considered response" might be more appropriate depending on the specific characteristics of the response you want to emphasize.