avoid answering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid answering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's tendency to not respond to questions or inquiries directly. Example: "During the meeting, he seemed to avoid answering the questions posed by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ustinkin tried to avoid answering.

The Guardian

She knew how to avoid answering questions.

The New Yorker

"We cannot avoid answering these questions.

The Guardian

"Well, you see I'm trying to avoid answering that question".

The Guardian - Film

There never was a licence to avoid answering questions.

The Guardian - Business

He was laboring to avoid answering the actual question about pay equity for women.

The New York Times

But Labor cannot avoid answering them even though it will be painful.

The Guardian

Mr. Waxman tried to avoid answering the question, but Judge Newman persisted.

The New York Times

"Like all politicians, I avoid answering questions based on clever hypotheticals".

The Guardian

This is a question their leadership is desperate to avoid answering.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have a role to play in asking the questions people want to avoid answering".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to indicate that someone is intentionally not providing information, use "avoid answering" to clearly convey their reluctance or evasion.

Common error

Ensure you use "avoid answering" when the lack of response is deliberate. If the person is unable to answer due to lack of knowledge, use phrases like "unable to answer" or "cannot answer" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "avoid answering" is as a gerund phrase acting as the object of a verb. It describes the action of evading or preventing the act of responding to a question or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

9%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid answering" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of intentionally evading a response to a question. Ludwig AI underlines the correctness of this expression. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wikis and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the lack of response is indeed deliberate, not due to inability or lack of knowledge. Alternatives such as ""evade the question"" or ""decline to answer"" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific intent you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade the question

Emphasizes dodging or eluding the question itself, rather than the act of answering.

dodge the response

Focuses on sidestepping the obligation to provide a response.

parry the inquiry

Suggests skillfully deflecting or warding off the question.

skirt the issue

Implies avoiding direct engagement with the topic at hand.

refrain from responding

Highlights the conscious decision to withhold a response.

decline to answer

Indicates a polite or formal refusal to provide an answer.

remain silent

Emphasizes the complete absence of a verbal response.

sidestep the query

Implies maneuvering around the question without directly addressing it.

equivocate in response

Suggests using ambiguous or unclear language to avoid a direct answer.

be evasive

Focuses on the characteristic of being intentionally vague or indirect.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid answering" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid answering" to describe someone's intentional reluctance or evasion in providing a response. For instance, "The politician tried to "evade the question" by changing the subject".

What are some alternatives to "avoid answering"?

Alternatives include "dodge the response", "decline to answer", or "skirt the issue", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "avoid to answer" instead of "avoid answering"?

No, "avoid to answer" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "avoid" typically takes a gerund (verb + -ing) as its object, so the correct form is "avoid answering".

What's the difference between "avoid answering" and "refuse to answer"?

"Avoid answering" implies evasion or indirectness, while "refuse to answer" indicates a direct and explicit rejection of the opportunity to respond.