obtained an answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtained an answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of receiving or acquiring a response or solution to a question or problem. Example: "After several hours of research, I finally obtained an answer to my query about the historical event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We do not, in fact, step out of the movement of things, ask 'What am I to do?' and, having obtained an answer, step in again.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Moreover, the Israeli export control system requires a 20-working day turn-around on all export license requests -- which is not possible, given the length of time required to obtain an answer from the United States.

The Guardian

"Some families will never obtain an answer," says Mr Ravier.

BBC

We tried to obtain an answer to this unexpected behaviour by observing the learner viewing patterns.

Smart Learning Environments

Why would women prefer professional content and men preferred user content? and is it possible to obtain an answer without being completely sexist in a conclusion?

TechCrunch

The quantities and relationships between quantities in the problem context are described rather than only stating procedures or numerical calculations used to obtain an answer to a problem.

The Journal of Mathematical Behavior

Two categories were added during the categorization: 'no reason' (if the nurse was not able to obtain an answer) and 'language barriers' (if the nurse could not understand the patients' answer).

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Finally, because of their low activity levels, task allocation mechanisms should consider suggesting a same question to multiple experts or to a combination of experts and highly active users to increase the chances of obtaining an answer in a reasonable time.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

For example, A construct (such as a Codd table) is said to be a strong representation system (of missing information) if any answer to a query made on the construct can be particularized to obtain an answer for any corresponding query on the relations it represents, which are seen as models of the construct.

Wikipedia

The described assay is easy to use, sensitive and specific for HAdV-14a in clinical throat swab specimens, and very rapid since turnaround time is less than four hours to obtain an answer.

Plosone

Often, extensive probing was needed to obtain an answer.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtained an answer", ensure that the context clearly indicates how the answer was acquired, whether through research, inquiry, or investigation. For example, "After conducting extensive research, the scientists obtained an answer to their initial hypothesis."

Common error

Avoid using "obtained an answer" when a more direct verb like "received" or "found" would be more appropriate. Overusing "obtained" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted. Consider the nuance of the verb and choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained an answer" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring a response or solution to a question or problem. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obtained an answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of acquiring a response or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across different contexts. It is particularly common in scientific and news-related articles, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, writers should be mindful of its slightly elevated tone and consider simpler alternatives like "received a response" or "got an answer" for more casual settings. Remember to ensure the context clearly illustrates how the answer was acquired and avoid overuse to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a response

Focuses on the act of getting a response rather than the process of finding an answer.

got a reply

Implies a direct communication and receiving a response.

acquired a solution

Emphasizes finding a solution to a problem.

found the solution

Highlights the discovery of a solution.

uncovered the truth

Suggests revealing a hidden or unknown answer.

determined the outcome

Focuses on establishing the result of a situation.

ascertained the response

Suggests a formal or careful determination of the answer.

elicited a response

Highlights the action of drawing out an answer or reaction.

deduced the conclusion

Focuses on inferring or reasoning to reach an answer.

garnered a response

Implies accumulating responses from multiple sources.

FAQs

How can I use "obtained an answer" in a sentence?

You can use "obtained an answer" when you want to express that a question or problem has been resolved. For instance, "After several weeks of investigation, the detective "obtained an answer" to the puzzling case."

What's a simpler alternative to "obtained an answer"?

Simpler alternatives include phrases like "got an answer", "received a response", or "found out". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

What is the difference between "obtained an answer" and "received an answer"?

"Obtained an answer" suggests a more active effort to get the answer, while "received an answer" implies a more passive reception. You "obtain" something through effort, whereas you "receive" something that is given to you.

Is it more formal to say "obtained an answer" than "got an answer"?

Yes, "obtained an answer" is generally more formal than "got an answer". The verb "obtained" carries a more professional or academic tone compared to the more casual "got".