conventional answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"conventional answer" is a phrase that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an answer that is widely accepted and not overly innovative. For example: "He gave a conventional answer to the question, but it was still the right one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A conventional answer is gas.

The New York Times

The conventional answer is yes.

The Economist

The conventional answer is no.

The Guardian - Opinion

The conventional answer has been: not really.

Independent

The conventional answer has been, emphatically, yes.

The New York Times

The conventional answer from Tory modernisers is one word: austerity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

There are two conventional answers.

The Economist

"Birdman" is an exercise in cinematic half-assedness: it tackles big questions and offers conventional answers.

The New Yorker

There are several conventional answers to this question, all rather dry.

Independent

Indeed, one hopes they're not too invested in the findings of the economics profession of which they're such distinguished products — because one suspects many of the conventional answers of that profession aren't much applicable to the current situation.

The New York Times

Mostly conventional answers: demographics, computer hacking, rogue robots.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conventional answer" when you want to indicate that a response is not novel or innovative, but rather aligns with established or widely accepted views.

Common error

Avoid using "conventional answer" when you intend to introduce a unique or insightful perspective. In such cases, opt for phrases that suggest originality or a fresh approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conventional answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a widely accepted or standard response. Examples show it in contexts where an expected solution or explanation is being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conventional answer" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a widely accepted or standard response. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable when referring to solutions that are not particularly innovative. Appearing most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, its register is generally neutral to formal. When using "conventional answer", it's best to ensure that you're accurately portraying a widely held belief, and consider whether a more novel perspective might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "typical response" or "standard reply" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical response

Replaces "answer" with "response", maintaining the sense of a standard or expected reply.

standard reply

Substitutes both "conventional" and "answer" with synonyms emphasizing the routine nature of the response.

common response

Uses "common" instead of "conventional", focusing on the widespread nature of the reply.

usual reply

Offers a slight variation by using "usual" instead of "conventional", highlighting the typicality of the response.

accepted explanation

Shifts the focus to an explanation that is broadly accepted, rather than just a response.

traditional explanation

Highlights the long-standing nature of the explanation.

established wisdom

Replaces "answer" with a term referring to widely held beliefs.

mainstream view

Shifts the focus to a dominant viewpoint, differing slightly from a direct answer.

prevailing explanation

Emphasizes that the explanation is currently dominant or widespread.

well-known response

Highlights the answer's familiarity or common knowledge status.

FAQs

How can I use "conventional answer" in a sentence?

You can use "conventional answer" to describe a typical or widely accepted response to a question or problem. For example: "The "conventional answer" to that question is usually the simplest one".

What are some alternatives to "conventional answer"?

Alternatives include phrases like "typical response", "standard reply", or "common response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "conventional answer" and "traditional explanation"?

"Conventional answer" refers to a standard or widely accepted response, while "traditional explanation" implies that the answer has been accepted over a longer period and is part of a historical understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "conventional answer" versus a more creative solution?

Use "conventional answer" when the situation calls for an established and reliable solution. Opt for a more creative solution when the problem is novel or when standard approaches have proven ineffective.