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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
circling the answer
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "circling the answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is looking for the right answer to a question, either figuratively or literally. For example, "John was circling the answer to the math problem on his paper, trying to figure out what it was."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
But if the teacher-made tests are mostly "fill in the blanks" or "circle the answer," ask why. 4. What's the school's academic record?
News & Media
It's an odd argument in light of the evidence that emerged decades after Foster's conviction: in their notes, the prosecutors highlighted the black jurors' names in green; circled the answer "black" on the questionnaire where jurors had been asked to identify their race; labelled three black jurors "B 1," "B 2," and "B#3"; and identified which person to keep "if we had to pick a black juror".
News & Media
Participants responded to 24-items with the instructions "circle the answer closest to the way you have felt about future life events over the past 7 days".
POST-AMBULATORY BP MONITORING QUESTIONNAIRE For the following questions, please circle the answer that corresponds to your response on a scale from 0 to 10: 0 = "Not at all" 5 = "Somewhat" 10 = "Extremely" 1. Did you find the monitor heavy?
The principal investigator (JD) collected the data, which included reading the questions to the participants, circling the indicated answer, and recording the demographic information.
The principal investigator (JD) recorded the demographic information and performed the interviews: that is, reading the questions to the participants and circling the indicated answer.
Three questions concerned inequalities ("Fill in greater than/equal to/less than"), two questions involved solving a formula ("Solve the formula for the variable ' r' and circle the correct answer"), and one fill-in question required students to solve the equation for x and write the answer.
Science
Education officials said schools were instructed to proceed with the exam and either to have students circle the correct answer in the question booklet or to simply use the A, B, C and D bubbles on the answer sheet as if they were labeled E, F, G and H. Schools were permitted to delay the start of the test by half an hour, but students were not given any extra time.
News & Media
They keep circling around the answer: declare jihad on the talking points and make that your identity, along with on-air fact-checking".
News & Media
When she filed to take the bar exam in 1991, she applied for extra time, a computer, permission to circle the right answer — instead of filling in a dot on a sheet that would be read by a machine — and a place to take the test other than the cavernous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
News & Media
Christopher had circled the correct answer in all three cases.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When instructing someone to choose an answer on a physical form, use "circling the answer" for clarity if that is the expected method. For digital forms, use more general terms like "selecting the answer".
Common error
Avoid using "circling the answer" when referring to digital questionnaires or online tests where the user typically clicks a button or selects an option from a dropdown menu. Instead, opt for "selecting the answer" or "choosing the answer".
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "circling the answer" functions primarily as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the action of marking a selection, as might be done on a test or questionnaire. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable but has limited examples.
Frequent in
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "circling the answer" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase typically instructing someone to physically mark their choice by drawing a circle. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it currently lacks real-world examples. Consider the context when using this phrase, ensuring it aligns with physical documents rather than digital interfaces, where alternatives like "selecting the answer" might be more appropriate.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
selecting the answer
Focuses on the act of choosing an answer, rather than the physical action of circling.
choosing the answer
Similar to 'selecting', emphasizing the decision-making aspect.
marking the answer
Highlights the action of indicating an answer, which could be through circling, underlining, or other means.
indicating the answer
Broader than 'circling', encompassing any method of showing which answer is correct.
identifying the answer
Emphasizes recognizing the correct answer, rather than the physical marking.
finding the solution
Shifts the focus to solving a problem, of which the answer is the result.
arriving at the answer
Highlights the process of reaching a conclusion.
determining the answer
Focuses on the cognitive process of figuring out the answer.
zeroing in on the answer
Implies a process of narrowing down options to find the right one.
homing in on the answer
Similar to 'zeroing in', suggesting a directed search for the correct answer.
FAQs
What does "circling the answer" mean?
It refers to the act of physically drawing a circle around the selected response on a multiple-choice question or a similar format, typically on a paper form.
When is it appropriate to use "circling the answer"?
It's best used when the instructions explicitly ask for a response to be marked with a circle, or when describing a scenario where someone is completing a paper-based test or questionnaire.
What are some alternatives to "circling the answer"?
Depending on the context, you could use "selecting the answer", "choosing the answer", or "marking the answer".
Is "circling the answer" only applicable to physical documents?
Yes, it primarily applies to physical documents. For digital contexts, other terms are more fitting, as mentioned above.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested