concise answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"concise answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an answer that is short but still covers the main points. For example: "Can you please provide a concise answer to the question?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

When people ask me, "What do you do?", I find it hard to come up with a clear, concise answer.

The Economist

One gets used to giving a concise answer to a question and then moving on to the next question.

The New Yorker

Yes, Chinese people are deeply anxious about the future, despite growing prosperity — a puzzle, he said, asking, "Why are we still so dissatisfied?" He offered a concise answer.

The New York Times

The most concise answer was provided by Noah Feldman, a New York University law professor who was the Coalition Provisional Authority's constitutional law adviser.

The New York Times

The literature seems sensational, considering that at a candidate forum last month at the Cypress Hills Senior Center, none of the candidates gave a concise answer to the question about sex offenders living in half-way houses in the district.

The New York Times

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg offered a simple, concise answer when asked yesterday what had changed in the New York Police Department in the three years since Amadou Diallo was shot and killed in the Bronx by four police officers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

General Dempsey was concise, answering, "Yes".

The New York Times

Norwegian/Bulgarian Mikhael Paskalev makes sharp, summery pop music with an edge, and gives concise answers to questions during interviews.

Independent

He appears almost incapable of offering concise answers to even the most predictable questions, like why he is running for the Senate.

The New York Times

The people who are able to respond quite quickly and have very short, concise answers to how they would overcome a problematic situation typically are the ones who seem to possess leadership skills.

The New York Times

In place of the long-form narrative journalism that is our stock in trade, we concocted a completely bite-size issue made up of concise answers to a wide-ranging series of questions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In situations demanding quick understanding, such as Q&A sessions or interviews, providing a "concise answer" demonstrates preparedness and respect for time.

Common error

Avoid making your "concise answer" so short that it becomes misleading or omits critical information. Always balance brevity with completeness to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concise answer" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'concise' modifies the noun 'answer'. It describes a specific type of answer characterized by its brevity and directness. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concise answer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes an answer that is brief and to the point. As shown in examples from Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to prioritize clarity and accuracy while avoiding excessive detail. While the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, being most prevalent in news and professional settings, the key is to strike a balance between brevity and completeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief response

Focuses on the brevity of the reply.

succinct reply

Highlights the clear and compact nature of the response.

short explanation

Emphasizes the explanatory aspect while keeping it brief.

to-the-point response

Emphasizes directness and relevance.

summary statement

Implies a condensed version of a more detailed explanation.

compact explanation

Focuses on the efficient use of words in explaining something.

streamlined answer

Highlights the efficiency and directness of the answer.

pithy response

Indicates a short and meaningful answer.

abbreviated response

Stresses the shortened form of the answer.

terse reply

Highlights the brevity, sometimes implying abruptness.

FAQs

How can I provide a "concise answer" in an interview setting?

Focus on the key points, avoid rambling, and use clear, direct language. Practice your answers beforehand to ensure they are both informative and brief. If appropriate, offer to elaborate if the interviewer needs more detail.

What's the difference between a "concise answer" and a "short answer"?

While both are brief, a "concise answer" focuses on delivering the most important information efficiently, whereas a "short answer" is simply brief, regardless of how much information it conveys.

When is it appropriate to give a "concise answer"?

A "concise answer" is appropriate when time is limited, when the question is straightforward, or when a brief overview is sufficient. This could be in interviews, meetings, or Q&A sessions.

What are some alternatives to "concise answer"?

You can use alternatives like "brief response", "succinct reply", or "short explanation" depending on the context.