elusive answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elusive answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a response or conclusion that is difficult to arrive at or identify, either because it is complex or hard to pin down. For example, you might say, "The team spent weeks trying to find a solution to the problem, but the elusive answer remained just out of reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We're seeking a startling relationship, or an elusive answer, or a plan, or a better question.

University of California, Berkeley

The elusive answer had been in front of me the entire time.

Columbia University

Ibrahimovic smiles and spreads his hands wide in acknowledgement of an elusive answer.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite all the noise, I still value the occasional comment that leads to a great resource or an elusive answer.

Cornell University

I often hear about scientists searching for the elusive answer to the question "what is dark matter".

Cornell University

entered Yale Divinity School, she was on a quest to find an elusive answer: How could she make it financially viable to devote her ministry career to serving poor people?

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I hit the streets of the county in search of elusive answers from other men.

The New York Times

Brinson didn't know how he would use the picture, and when I called Vo to ask that question, I got one of his adroitly elusive answers.

The New Yorker

"Instead of having small teams of experts look at problems from their own perspectives," he said, "we can start bringing together people with different areas of expertise and disciplinary approaches to find surprising and elusive answers.

The New York Times

While those elusive answers to such simple questions seem pretty unlikely, we all tend to do something very similar when asked about our eating habits.

HuffPost

These are two very different works, to be sure, but they share some gritty elements, pose similarly tough questions about human nature, and leave us with similarly elusive answers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elusive answer" when you want to emphasize the difficulty and persistence required to find a solution or explanation. It suggests the answer is not readily available and may require a deeper investigation or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "elusive answer" in situations where the answer is simply unknown or requires minimal effort to find. It is more appropriate when the answer is inherently complex or hidden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elusive answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "elusive" modifies "answer". It describes a specific quality of the answer, indicating that it is difficult to find, understand, or obtain. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elusive answer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a solution or explanation that is difficult to find or understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific writing. The phrase suggests that finding the answer requires persistence and a deeper level of investigation. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the answer is genuinely complex or hidden, avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives like "difficult solution" or "inconclusive answer" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inconclusive answer

Emphasizes that the answer does not provide a definitive result.

Hard-to-find answer

Emphasizes the difficulty in locating or discovering the answer.

Difficult solution

This alternative focuses on the challenge of finding the solution, rather than the quality of the answer itself.

Vague response

Indicates the answer lacks specificity or detail.

Unclear response

Highlights the lack of clarity in the answer given.

Ambiguous solution

Suggests the answer is open to multiple interpretations.

Evasive reply

Conveys that the answer avoids the direct question.

Indefinable response

Suggests the answer cannot be precisely defined or captured.

Undiscoverable solution

Highlights that the solution is impossible to discover.

Unattainable solution

This alternative underlines the impossibility of reaching the solution.

FAQs

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

You can use "elusive answer" to describe a solution or explanation that is difficult to find or understand. For example, "Scientists continue to search for the "elusive answer" to the question of dark matter's composition".

What are some alternatives to "elusive answer"?

Some alternatives to "elusive answer" include "difficult solution", "hard to find answer", or "inconclusive answer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an answer "elusive"?

An answer is considered "elusive" when it's hard to grasp, define, or obtain. It suggests that the answer is hidden, complex, or not readily apparent, requiring significant effort to uncover.

Is it ever appropriate to use "elusive answers" (plural)?

Yes, you can use the plural "elusive answers" when referring to multiple related questions or problems, each with a difficult or unattainable solution. For example, "The researcher sought "elusive answers" to several complex biochemical questions".