be answered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be answered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that a question or request should receive a response. Example: "All inquiries should be answered within 24 hours to ensure customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they can be answered.

The Economist

Two questions must be answered.

The Economist

They have to be answered.

The New Yorker

Every question must be answered.

The New York Times

They must obviously be answered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those questions must be answered.

The New York Times

These questions must be answered".

The New York Times

Praying that your prayers will be answered.

Independent

"These things have to be answered quickly".

The New York Times

How may music be answered by dance?

The New York Times - Arts

That question was about to be answered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be answered", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is receiving the response. For example, "All questions must be answered promptly" is clearer than "It must be answered."

Common error

Avoid using "be answered" in contexts where it's unclear who or what is responsible for providing the answer. Always specify the agent or system expected to provide the answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be answered" primarily functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that a question, request, or inquiry is the recipient of an action, specifically the provision of an answer. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical role. The Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be answered" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application across diverse fields, including news, science, and formal communications. The phrase primarily functions to express the expectation or necessity of a response to a question or inquiry. While its register is generally neutral, it is crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what requires answering and who is responsible for providing the answer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive a response

Focuses on the act of getting a response rather than the expectation or necessity of it.

get a reply

Implies a direct communication back, often in a written or verbal form.

be responded to

A more formal and passive construction, emphasizing the action of responding.

find a solution

Shifts the focus from answering to resolving a problem or query.

be resolved

Highlights the settlement or clarification of an issue or question.

be addressed

Suggests that a problem or issue is being dealt with directly.

be clarified

Emphasizes the act of making something clear or understandable.

be explained

Focuses on providing a clear and understandable account of something.

be satisfied

Implies meeting a requirement or expectation completely.

be taken care of

Indicates that something is being handled or managed appropriately.

FAQs

How can I use "be answered" in a sentence?

Use "be answered" to indicate that a question, request, or inquiry should receive a response. For example, "All emails should be answered within 24 hours".

What can I say instead of "be answered"?

You can use alternatives like "receive a response", "get a reply", or "be responded to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be answered" or "be responded"?

"Be answered" is generally used for questions or inquiries, while "be responded to" is a broader term that can apply to any stimulus that requires a response. Both are grammatically correct but context-dependent.

What's the difference between "be answered" and "be addressed"?

"Be answered" implies a direct response to a question or inquiry, while "be addressed" suggests that a problem or issue is being dealt with. For example, a question can "be answered", but a problem needs to "be addressed".