formulate an answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulate an answer" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "When faced with a challenging problem, take some time to think it through and then formulate an answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It took me a moment to formulate an answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he had asked himself the same question and for a time even struggled to formulate an answer.

The New York Times - Magazine

But as one often does after flubbing a pregnant moment, I kept going over the scene in my mind, trying to formulate an answer worthy of the question and the questioner, something that convinced him I wasn't a fool".

The New Yorker

Honestly, there are so many hard things about writing a novel that it's hard to pick just one, but I particularly hate having to try to formulate an answer when someone asks me: What's your book about?

The New York Times - Books

The best story, in this regard, may be the one that seems at first glance the slightest -- a brief, quizzical inquiry into changing approaches to child-rearing and marriage called "How Was It, Really?," in which the narrator, a father of four grown children, now settled into grandparenthood, can't quite formulate an answer to his question.

The New York Times - Books

That will also give you time to formulate an answer.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

O'Flynn formulates an answer to Frank's mother's question, tracing the strands of human connection that persist amid the concrete underpasses and flickering screens.

The New Yorker

When it receives new questions, it compares them with the corpus of those it already knows, studiously scoring their similarity before formulating an answer.

The New Yorker

Mr. Golden was puttering around the mahogany-paneled parlor, looking for one of his favorite books, by the designer Rory Stuart, titled "What Are Gardens For?" Though the garden, called Federal Twist, is at the center of Mr. Golden's life, he admits that he has trouble formulating an answer.

The New York Times

I paused, formulating an answer in my head, knowing that she would be sticking a needle in my arm.

Huffington Post

But the declassified documents tell a somewhat different story, with multiple people from different departments becoming involved in formulating an answer.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When faced with complex questions, take a moment to gather your thoughts before you "formulate an answer". This allows for a more considered and coherent response.

Common error

Avoid hastily "formulating an answer" without fully understanding the question or considering the implications. This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate an answer" functions as a verb phrase where 'formulate' is the verb and 'an answer' is the noun phrase acting as the object. Ludwig examples shows its use in various contexts requiring thoughtful responses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Science & Research

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate an answer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the process of thoughtfully constructing a response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently used in news, science, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember to allow sufficient time to consider the question fully before attempting to "formulate an answer", and avoid rushing to respond without careful consideration. Related phrases include "develop a response" and "craft a reply". Overall, the phrase effectively conveys the act of creating a well-considered and articulate answer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a response

Emphasizes the process of creating a reaction.

construct an explanation

Highlights the building of an explanation.

work out an answer

Implies effort and problem-solving in finding the answer.

craft a reply

Suggests a more careful and deliberate construction of a response.

figure out a response

Suggests a cognitive process of understanding and then creating a response.

frame a response

Emphasizes structuring or outlining the reply.

devise a solution

Focuses on creating a solution.

draft a rejoinder

Suggests a formal, often written, response to a statement.

contrive a response

Implies a somewhat inventive or resourceful approach to creating a response.

prepare a statement

Focuses on formal preparation for a declaration.

FAQs

How can I use "formulate an answer" effectively in a sentence?

Use "formulate an answer" when you want to express the act of carefully constructing or developing a response to a question or problem. For example, "The committee will need time to formulate an answer to the complex issue".

What are some alternatives to "formulate an answer"?

You can use alternatives like "develop a response", "craft a reply", or "devise a solution" depending on the context.

Is it better to "formulate an answer" quickly or to take time to consider?

While speed can be important in some situations, it's generally better to take a moment to carefully "formulate an answer", ensuring it is accurate and well-considered.

What's the difference between "formulate an answer" and "give an answer"?

"Formulate an answer" implies a more thoughtful and deliberate process of constructing the response, while "give an answer" is a more general term for providing a response, regardless of how it was developed.