desirable answer

USAGE SUMMARY

'desirable answer' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the most desired, sought-after, or ideal response to a given question or problem. For example, "The teacher was pleased with his student's desirable answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Live telephone surveys involve direct human interaction, and a commonly-observed trend is the respondent's desire to provide the interviewer with a socially desirable answer," they wrote.

Los Angeles Times

The first and most desirable answer is to reduce the incentive to evade by cutting tax rates.

The Economist

People give pollsters what they think is the socially desirable answer — and saying yes to gay marriage has apparently achieved that status, which is interesting in itself — but revert to their unvarnished biases or beliefs when they actually vote.

The New Yorker

Even if this is true, I'd still be very concerned that the apparent socially desirable answer is that Jews should not be trusted and that the West is out to get Muslims.

The Washington Post

Alternatively, Core participants may have been more likely to give a socially desirable answer (i.e. very good) because of the presence of an interviewer.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Female sex workers whose activities are still regarded as illegal in China may provide a socially desirable answer, which may underestimate the stigma attitude.

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

36 Interviewees may also have replied with socially desirable answers (social desirability response bias).

BMJ Quality and Safety

With the assumption that Reynold's short-form of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale captures the propensity for individuals to provide socially desirable answers, change scores in patient education program evaluation are not biased by social desirability.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

A Dutch newspaper, Trouw, cites Arabist Jan Jaap de Ruiter who argues that Muslims have a tendency to give "socially desirable" answers to survey questions.

The Washington Post

In the same way, we don't know to what extent some people are really changing their access to health or relationship advice, or even whether they answered the questions honestly - surveys can be prone to eliciting socially desirable answers.

The Guardian

It is possible that respondents despite anonymity may have given socially desirable answers to our survey.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desirable answer" when you want to emphasize that a particular response is the most ideal or sought-after in a given situation. It suggests a clear preference for that specific answer over others.

Common error

While "desirable answer" is a perfectly valid phrase, be mindful of the context. In very informal settings, a simpler term like "best answer" or "right answer" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desirable answer" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "desirable" modifies the noun "answer". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and used across various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desirable answer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the most preferred or ideal response. While suitable for formal contexts like science and news, simpler alternatives might be better for informal settings. The phrase's function is to highlight the most appropriate answer. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related articles, making it a useful term for academic and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ideal response

Focuses on the perfection or optimal quality of the answer.

preferred solution

Highlights the aspect of choice and preference in finding an answer.

optimal solution

Emphasizes the best possible outcome or resolution.

sought-after response

Stresses the aspect of being highly desired or pursued.

welcome reply

Highlights the positive reception of the answer.

satisfactory resolution

Emphasizes the contentment derived from the answer.

most advantageous reply

Focuses on the benefits or advantages provided by the answer.

favorable response

Emphasizes the positive or agreeable nature of the answer.

best possible answer

Highlights the quality of being the most excellent or suitable.

the answer of choice

Emphasizes the element of selection and preference.

FAQs

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

You can use "desirable answer" to indicate the most preferred or ideal response to a question or problem. For example, "The candidate's policy proposal was the "most desirable answer" to the economic crisis".

What are some alternatives to "desirable answer"?

Alternatives include phrases like "ideal response", "preferred solution", or "optimal solution" depending on the specific context.

Is "desirable answer" formal or informal?

"Desirable answer" is generally suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts, such as academic papers, professional reports, and news articles. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

What makes an answer "desirable"?

A "desirable answer" is often characterized by its accuracy, relevance, completeness, and alignment with the goals or expectations of the person seeking the answer. It's the answer that best addresses the question or solves the problem at hand.