gave no answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave no answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone did not respond to a question or statement. Example: "When asked about his plans for the future, he simply gave no answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

She gave no answer.

The New York Times

Fifteen percent gave no answer.

The New York Times

This time he gave no answer.

The New York Times

He said Mr. Vance gave no answer.

The New York Times

"When I asked why, they gave no answer.

Independent

In the event, the election gave no answer.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They gave no answers to the mysteries behind the physical symptoms, or how to process them.

The New York Times

At the time, the Philadelphia Chromosome gave no answers, but posed a lot of questions.

The Guardian

When Midway Entertainment was asked if Mortal Kombat: Deception was the official title, the developers gave no answers at that time.

Wikipedia

When the idea arose in interviews that her work gave no answers, she replied, "For me, the job of an artist is someone who asks questions, and the politician is someone who pretends to know the answers".

Vice

Two GPs gave no answers regarding the question of number of patients who live in nursing homes.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave no answer" when you want to clearly state that a question or request received no response. It's direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "gave no answer" when you mean "gave the wrong answer". The former indicates a lack of response, while the latter indicates an incorrect response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave no answer" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the action (or lack thereof) performed by the subject. It clearly communicates the absence of a response to a question or inquiry. Ludwig's examples show this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gave no answer" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of response to a question or request. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from News & Media to Science. Alternatives such as "offered no response" or "remained silent" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While the phrase is generally neutral, ensure that it is not confused with "gave the wrong answer", which carries a different meaning. Overall, "gave no answer" is a clear and effective way to communicate the absence of a reply.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offered no response

Focuses on the act of not providing a response, similar to "gave no answer".

remained silent

Highlights the lack of verbal communication, akin to not answering.

provided no reply

Emphasizes the absence of a written or verbal reply.

did not respond

A more general way of saying there was no reaction or answer.

made no comment

Implies a deliberate choice not to express an opinion or answer.

declined to answer

Suggests a refusal to provide an answer, whether explicitly or implicitly.

failed to answer

Highlights the inability or omission in providing a response.

yielded no response

Describes that the question failed to produce an answer.

furnished no answer

A more formal way to indicate the absence of an answer.

volunteered no information

Indicates a lack of proactive offering of details or answers.

FAQs

What does "gave no answer" mean?

The phrase "gave no answer" means that someone did not provide a response to a question, request, or statement. It indicates a lack of communication or a refusal to reply.

How can I use "gave no answer" in a sentence?

You can use "gave no answer" in a sentence like this: "When asked about his whereabouts on the night of the incident, he "gave no answer"."

What are some alternatives to "gave no answer"?

Alternatives to "gave no answer" include "offered no response", "remained silent", or "did not respond". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "gave no answer" or "did not answer"?

"Gave no answer" and "did not answer" are often interchangeable, but "gave no answer" might imply a more deliberate withholding of information. "Did not answer" could suggest simply an omission or oversight.