his answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"his answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a specific answer that someone gave. For example, "I was surprised by his answer to my question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His answer?

The New York Times - Sports

His answer was revealing.

The New Yorker

He had his answer.

The New York Times - Sports

His answer: "Easy.

The New York Times - Books

His answer was illustrative.

The New York Times - Arts

His answer came quickly.

The New Yorker

His answer was prophetic.

The New York Times - Sports

No, was his answer.

The New York Times

His answer: "drink".

The New York Times

His answer: not very.

The New York Times

"What's his answer?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation when choosing between "his answer" and alternatives like "his response" or "his explanation".

Common error

Avoid using "his answer" when the gender of the person is unknown or when referring to a group of people. In such cases, use "their answer" or rephrase to avoid possessive pronouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his answer" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a possessive noun phrase, where "his" is a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "answer". It refers to a particular answer given by a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sports

14%

Books

5%

Less common in

Lifestyle

2%

Opinion

2%

Tech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used possessive noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote a response given by a male individual. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports and sports articles to books and general conversation. While straightforward, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding who "his" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "his response" or "what he said" can offer stylistic variations. The phrase is considered neutral in tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

His reply

Replaces "answer" with the synonym "reply", maintaining the same meaning but slightly altering the word choice.

His response

Substitutes "answer" with "response", offering a more formal alternative with identical meaning.

The answer he gave

Rephrases the possessive to a clause, adding emphasis on the act of giving the answer.

What he answered

Transforms the phrase into a noun clause, focusing on the content of the answer.

His statement

Replaces "answer" with "statement", implying a more formal or official response.

His explanation

Substitutes "answer" with "explanation", suggesting a more detailed and reasoned response.

His position

Replaces "answer" with "position", implying a formal declaration of belief or opinion.

His reaction

Substitutes "answer" with "reaction", focusing on the emotional or behavioral response.

This is what he said

Transforms the phrase into a direct quote preface, emphasizing the exact words used.

His comeback

Uses "comeback" to suggest a witty or clever response, altering the tone and adding a layer of meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "his answer" to refer to a response given by a male individual to a question or situation. For example, "I asked him about the project, and "his answer" was very insightful".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "his answer"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "his response", "what he said", or "his reply".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "his answer"?

It would be incorrect to use "his answer" if you are referring to a female individual or a group of people. In those cases, you should use "her answer" or "their answer", respectively.

What's the difference between "his answer" and "his explanation"?

While both refer to a response, ""his answer"" is a general term for any reply, while "his explanation" implies a more detailed and reasoned response.