instructive answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instructive answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that provides clear guidance or information on a particular topic. Example: "The teacher provided an instructive answer to the student's question about the assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Asked about the assets she brings to grass, she gave an instructive answer.

Independent

The most instructive answer might be to look at the United States, where "dynamic scoring" has been used to catastrophic effect in slashing marginal tax rates.

The Guardian - Opinion

So instead of asking "Do you have my major?" — which Mr. Lowry hopes visitors avoid — prospective students should consider the following recommendations from our readers: This is a variation of the "Do you have my major?" question, but it is likely to yield a more instructive answer.

The New York Times

We questioned several of the people in our sample, but a clinician from the A&E ward offered the most instructive answer.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It may be even more instructive to answer the fundamental questions of how the extent and quality of repaired myelin is controlled, how ageing affects these processes and what differences in remyelination biology between zebrafish and mammals determine success or failure of regeneration.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Patients responded to the ascites scale items using a five-point Likert scale: 0=not applicable, 1=neither, 2=slightly applicable, 3=applicable to some degree, and 4=very applicable, according to an instructive sentence, "Please answer questions with respect to today's symptoms of ascites (bloatedness in the belly) and symptom-related matters".

Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology

One specific answer proved instructive.

The New York Times - Sports

When I ask him in what ways he breaks the rules, his answer is instructive.

The Guardian

Trump's answer was instructive: " I can't answer that question because I don't think it's going to happen".

The New Yorker

The answer is instructive, and emblematic of the way Republicans have been trying to handle Mr. Akin's deranged rant.

The New York Times

A study published in the current issue of The Journal of Family Psychology provides an answer: plenty instructive, at least when it comes to marriage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instructive answer" when you want to emphasize that a response not only provides information but also offers insight or teaches something new.

Common error

Avoid using "instructive answer" in informal conversations where a simpler term like "helpful answer" or "clear response" would be more appropriate. This phrase is better suited for formal or educational settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instructive answer" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "instructive" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the type of answer given, emphasizing its educational or insightful qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instructive answer" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a response that provides both information and insight. While relatively rare, it's found in diverse contexts, with a slight preference for news and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and educational settings where clarity and guidance are important. While synonyms like "illuminating response" or "insightful reply" exist, "instructive answer" emphasizes the teaching aspect of the response. When communicating, ensure to use it when you aim to highlight not just information, but also the guidance and understanding that the answer provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illuminating response

Emphasizes the clarity and understanding gained from the answer.

insightful reply

Highlights the depth and perception offered by the answer.

enlightening explanation

Focuses on the educational aspect of the answer.

helpful clarification

Stresses the practical assistance provided by the answer.

informative feedback

Highlights the factual and educational nature of the answer.

educational response

Directly indicates that the answer serves a learning purpose.

revealing explanation

Suggests that the answer uncovers something previously unknown.

detailed explanation

Focuses on the comprehensiveness and thoroughness of the answer.

thorough reply

Emphasizes the completeness and carefulness of the answer.

clear answer

Highlights the intelligibility and lack of ambiguity in the response.

FAQs

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

You can use "instructive answer" to describe a response that provides both information and insight, such as, "The professor gave an "instructive answer" that helped me understand the complex topic better."

What's a more formal alternative to "instructive answer"?

A more formal alternative could be "illuminating response" or "insightful reply", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

What is the difference between "informative answer" and "instructive answer"?

"Informative answer" simply means the answer provides information. An ""instructive answer"", however, not only provides information but also guides or teaches something new to the receiver.

Is "instructive answer" suitable for informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, ""instructive answer"" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "helpful answer" or "clear explanation" might be more appropriate in informal settings.