answer on how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answer on how" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when asking for a response regarding a method or process, but the correct form would be "answer how" or "provide an answer on how." Example: "Can you answer how we can improve our workflow efficiency?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

There’s no one answer on how to achieve the balance, but these pursuits can also enrich family life as well as the professional one.

Forbes

"No one can get a straight answer on how many cops are patrolling the streets," Mr. Vallone said.

The New York Times

No one has found a simple answer on how to manage this difficult growth dynamic, but talk of more border guns and clampdowns leaves people here unsettled.

HuffPost

For quite a long time before the book appeared, journalists – including this one – had been trying to get a straight answer on how involved Lee was in the renewed efforts to protect her legacy and estate, or at least why this was all happening now. Lee had sworn for years, publicly and privately, that she'd never publish another book.

The Guardian - Books

But he'll need an answer on how Labour would act.

The Guardian - Opinion

There has not even been a straight answer on how much the most basic, escalation-free military operation would cost.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But Hugh White, a defence analyst, and an author of the last white paper in 2000, worries that this one lacks answers on how this can be achieved.

The Economist

Answer: The answer depends on how complex your taxes are.

Los Angeles Times

The answer depends on how one interprets data.

The New York Times - Health

You want answers on how to live longer, better, fitter?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Such a framework helps provide answers on how marketers can deal with such types of crises.

International Journal of Research in Marketing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, consider rephrasing your sentence to use "answer how" instead of "answer on how". For example, instead of "looking for an answer on how to solve this problem", try "looking for an answer how to solve this problem".

Common error

Relying heavily on "answer on how" can make your writing sound less professional. Diversify your language by incorporating synonyms such as "solution", "explanation", or "method" to convey your message more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answer on how" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to inquire about or describe a method or process. However, according to Ludwig AI, the standard written English would prefer "answer how" or "provide an answer on how".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "answer on how" is commonly used but is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. While frequently found in diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science, it is generally advised to use alternative phrasings like "answer how", "explanation of how", or "solution for how" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness. When writing formally, substituting "answer on how" with more precise and grammatically appropriate options will improve the professionalism and clarity of your content. While the phrase is widespread, particularly in informal contexts, opting for the suggested alternatives can make your writing more impactful and authoritative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solution for how

Emphasizes finding a solution rather than just an answer; subtly shifts the focus to problem-solving.

explanation of how

Focuses on clarifying the process or method involved.

instructions on how

Implies a step-by-step guide or manual.

guidance on how

Suggests advice or support in understanding a process.

recommendations on how

Focuses on providing suggestions or best practices.

method for how

Highlights a structured or systematic approach.

approach to how

Similar to method, but can also refer to a general philosophy or strategy.

strategy for how

Suggests a high-level plan to achieve a goal.

insights on how

Emphasizes understanding the underlying reasons or mechanisms.

perspective on how

Offers a particular viewpoint or angle on a process.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "answer on how"?

While commonly used, "answer on how" isn't considered standard English. It's better to use "answer how" or "explanation of how" for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "answer on how"?

Instead of using "answer on how", try alternatives like "explanation of how", "guidance on how", or simply "answer how".

When is it appropriate to use "answer on how"?

While widely used, it's best to avoid "answer on how" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically sound options like "solution for how", particularly in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "answer on how" and "answer how"?

"Answer how" is more grammatically direct and concise. While "answer on how" is prevalent, sticking to "answer how" enhances clarity. Try also to replace the entire expression with "method for how", in some contexts.