answering in the negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answering in the negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is responding to a question or statement with a "no" or a denial. Example: "When asked if he would attend the meeting, he was clear in answering in the negative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Reverend C. T. Vivian had asked for a rest stop, and Colonel Montgomery was answering in the negative.

The New Yorker

"Dare I pretend to be worthy?" he asks in "My Life in Letters", before answering in the negative ("Please. I am too inconsequential … ").

The Guardian - Books

After remand of the latter case appellant purged himself of contempt by answering in the negative the question 'Are you presently a member of the Communist Party?' Subsequently, new hearings were held and it is out of them that the present case arises.

Cornell University

Using the SAS scores as predictor suggest an average fuel consumption reduction of 1.21 · (−0.90) L/100 km = −1.09 L/100 km or −2.67 % for those subjects answering with "yes" on the judgment of learning and an increase of 0.4 L/100 km (0.97 %) for the subjects answering in the negative.

European Transport Research Review

For example, these examples show that even an indecomposable automorphism invariant finitely generated right module over a finite-dimensional algebra over a field F does not need to be quasi-injective, thus answering in the negative a question posed by Facchini.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Some tales raised the question of whether mermaids had immortal souls, answering in the negative.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My interpreter answered in the negative.

The New York Times - Magazine

They all answered in the negative," the report stated.

The Washington Post

And I think that is going to be answered in the negative".

The New York Times

She answers in the negative: no, they did not, and neither does she.

The New York Times

She answers in the negative: no they did not and neither does she.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. While grammatically correct, "answering in the negative" may sound stilted in informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "saying no" or "disagreeing" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "answering in the negative" in casual conversation or informal writing. Overly formal language can sound unnatural or pretentious. In many situations, a simple "no" or a direct statement of disagreement is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answering in the negative" functions as a verb phrase indicating a negative response or denial to a question, request, or assertion. It signifies a refusal to affirm or confirm something, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "answering in the negative" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a negative response or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is more common in formal contexts such as news, science, and academia, suggesting a higher register. While it effectively conveys disagreement or rejection, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal settings. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing between "answering in the negative" and its more straightforward counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replying in the negative

A more formal alternative, similar in structure but using 'reply'.

responding with a no

Focuses on the directness of the negative response.

giving a negative reply

Highlights the act of providing a negative response.

denying the assertion

Emphasizes the act of refuting a statement.

voicing a denial

Focuses on the expression of disagreement.

disagreeing with the statement

Highlights disagreement as the form of negative response.

negating the question

Highlights that the answer is the negation of the question.

refusing to affirm

Emphasizes the lack of confirmation or agreement.

declining to confirm

Emphasizes the refusal to validate or verify something.

rejecting the proposal

Focuses on the act of turning down an offer or suggestion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "answering in the negative" to sound less formal?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "saying no", "disagreeing", or "giving a negative response" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "replying in the negative" and "answering in the negative"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "replying in the negative" is often used in response to a direct question, whereas "answering in the negative" can refer to responding negatively to an assertion as well. Both are correct.

Is "answering in the negative" always the best way to express disagreement?

No, it's not always the best way. The appropriateness of "answering in the negative" depends on the context and audience. In informal situations, direct and simpler expressions are often preferable. Consider using alternatives like "no" or "I disagree".

How to properly use "answering in the negative" in a sentence?

Ensure that the context includes a question, request or statement, and that "answering in the negative" clearly indicates a denial. For example: "When asked if he would support the proposal, he was definitive in "answering in the negative"."