answered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "answered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when responding to a statement or question. For example: "I didn't understand the math problem," he said. "Let me help you," she answered.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You say that you respect Parliament, that you answered more questions than your predecessors and that you are the first Prime Minister to appear before a select committee, but in other ways you seem thoroughly hostile to the idea of scrutiny by elected representatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've answered a question there as truthfully as I could and that was taken in a certain way and reported in a certain way.

The Guardian - Sport

Several police forces could be investigated over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile after the police watchdog confirmed that an inquiry was a possibility and a lawyer representing alleged victims said there were urgent questions to be answered.

The Guardian

Asked about his relations with his brother he answered coolly.

The Guardian

A question about RT's future wasn't answered at the introduction on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Tech

The question everyone will want answered is how it is he is still alive?

The Guardian - Film

Related: The 'worm' on the leaders' debates may be good TV but it's bad for democracy | Letters Such a commission would also need to grapple with the format, a question that has not been satisfactorily answered by either of the two pre-election broadcasts thus far this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Take a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs) as we may already have answered it there.

The Guardian - Books

Why that law would be ignored to bring terrorist-trained detainees into American cities has not been answered by this administration," McConnell said in a statement that signalled an early, sustained and thus-far successful fight to prevent the closure of Guantánamo Bay.

The Guardian

Speaking at his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said: "Unilateral actions from the Palestinians will be answered with unilateral actions from our side".

The Guardian

PMQs puts people off politics because no questions are answered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "answered", ensure the context clearly indicates what question or issue is being responded to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "answered to" when a direct object is more appropriate. For example, instead of "He answered to the question", use "He answered the question".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "answered" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "answer". Ludwig examples show it used to indicate that a question, call, or request has been responded to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "answered" functions as the past tense and past participle of "answer", denoting a response to a question or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Usage is very common, particularly in News & Media, Sport and Opinion. Remember to use "answered" directly followed by the object of the answer (e.g., "answered the question") and to consider alternatives like "replied" or "responded" for nuanced meanings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "answered" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replied

Indicates a direct response, similar to "answered", but often implies a more concise reply.

responded

Like "answered", it denotes a reaction or reply, but can also refer to a broader reaction to a situation.

acknowledged

Implies recognition or acceptance of something, in addition to providing a response.

addressed

Suggests dealing with or focusing on a specific issue or question in a response.

rebutted

Implies answering by arguing against or disproving a statement or claim.

stated

Indicates the provision of information or facts in response to an inquiry.

explained

Suggests providing a detailed answer, clarifying a point or issue.

confirmed

Indicates affirming or verifying information in response to a query.

clarified

Implies making something clearer in response to a question or confusion.

testified

Suggests giving evidence or a formal statement as an answer.

FAQs

How can I use "answered" in a sentence?

You can use "answered" to describe the act of responding to a question, such as "She "answered the phone"" or "He "answered the question" directly".

What is a simple alternative to "answered"?

A straightforward alternative to "answered" is "replied", which also means to give a response.

What is the difference between "answered" and "responded"?

"Answered" usually refers to a direct response to a specific question, while "responded" can refer to a broader reaction to a situation or event.

Is it correct to say "answered to" a question?

While "answered to" can be used in certain contexts (e.g., "answered to the description"), it's generally more common and grammatically sound to use "answered" followed directly by the question or topic. For instance, "answered the question" is preferred.