by way of answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by way of answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a response or explanation to a question or inquiry. Example: "By way of answer, I would like to clarify the points raised in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

By way of answer, he looked to the blue sky, the kids playing and the whole cool scene.

The New York Times

"Well, how did I do?" "Would you like to do a longer film tomorrow?" Andy replies, by way of answer.

The Guardian - Music

By way of answer he explains how, for another self-experiment, he was recently fitted with an internal glucose monitor of the kind that type 1 diabetics use.

The Guardian

By way of answer, let's consider another online pioneer of 2001, an up-and-coming Australian backbencher by the name of Mark Latham.

The Guardian

By way of answer, he described a photograph he had seen of Tokyo after an earthquake, where only one building was left standing.

The Guardian - Film

By way of answer he tells me about his recently published comic narrative poem The Song of Lunch, about a publisher going out for a boozy lunch with an old girlfriend.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It's going to be hard," Emanuel admitted, by way of answering my questions about his motivations, given the city's immediate future.

The New York Times - Magazine

But what I want to do now is just, by way of answering a couple of questions, point out to you three different ways that one might respond to what's going on in this asymmetry.

Yale University

A lot of foreign visitors will ask: "Why is it called a ha-ha?" By way of answering, please do not push them off the edge and shout: "Ha ha!" A broken ankle is never good for negotiations.

The Guardian

By way of answering back, the people rattled by what's happening to their communities may cite such functional concerns as traffic congestion and noise pollution, but their take on things runs a bit deeper than that, into the profound stuff of place, history and collective identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

These interviews, then, are not calm dialogues in which the artist's self is reasonably explained by way of answering questions.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by way of answer" when you want to provide an indirect or illustrative response, rather than a straightforward yes or no.

Common error

Avoid using "by way of answer" when a simple, direct answer is expected. This phrase is best suited for providing context or a more nuanced response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by way of answer" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase. It is used to signal that the speaker or writer is about to provide a response, often one that is indirect, illustrative, or requires some context. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by way of answer" is a grammatically correct and relatively common prepositional phrase used to introduce a response to a question or inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used when the answer is not direct but rather illustrative or contextual. The phrase's usage is prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts, making it suitable for neutral to formal communication. While alternatives exist, such as "in response" or "as an answer", "by way of answer" offers a slightly more nuanced and contextual approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an answer

Slightly more direct and concise.

in response

Formal and suitable for written communication.

to answer your question

Explicitly acknowledges a question is being addressed.

by means of a response

More verbose and formal.

as a form of response

Similar to "in response" but emphasizes the manner of answering.

in lieu of a direct answer

Implies the response is not a direct one.

to address the inquiry

More formal and specifically addresses an inquiry.

responding to your query

Directly refers to the act of responding to a query.

by way of clarification

Focuses on clarifying a point rather than directly answering.

let me respond by saying

Introduces the response with a specific phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "by way of answer" in a sentence?

You can use "by way of answer" to introduce an indirect or illustrative response. For example, "When asked about his future plans, he smiled, and by way of answer, pointed to the open road".

What are some alternatives to "by way of answer"?

Alternatives include "as an answer", "in response", or "to answer your question", depending on the context.

Is "by way of answer" formal or informal?

"By way of answer" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the formal side.

What's the difference between "by way of answer" and "by way of explanation"?

"By way of answer" introduces a response to a question, while "by way of explanation" introduces a clarification or further detail about a topic. The first responds, the second clarifies.