respectable answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respectable answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an answer that is deemed worthy of respect or consideration, often in discussions or debates. Example: "After much deliberation, she finally provided a respectable answer to the complex question posed by the panel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The most respectable answer to the problem is that advertisements need to become more interesting and compelling.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only respectable answer seems to be that they need these rights to protect their people and to help provide them with the objects of their human rights.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The General gave a respectable and respectful answer to the law-professor-turned-legislator; Petraeus was himself a Princeton PhD.

Huffington Post

(Just as on TV, it's a good bet that the question "Who sent out the cutthroat assassins?" will turn out to have as an answer "The respectable businessman").

The New York Times - Books

According to a calculation by statistics website Polstats.com the answer is a respectable 8,938 years on average: long enough that humans born in the Neolithic period would still be alive today.

Vice

Some fine performances and an embrace of understatement make Matthew Leutwyler's oddly titled "Answers to Nothing" a respectable entry in the multiple-stories-that-interlock genre.

The New York Times

Many Americans believe that the answer is yes, but any respectable economist will tell you that the answer is no.

The New York Times

At some price point, things will shift, and the following answer will become a common and respectable one: Nowhere.

Forbes

The answer: Sell while you still can get a respectable return and move to a smaller residence.

Forbes

Asked what had killed classic action films like his "Rambo" and "Rocky" series —which each eked out a respectable performance with retro-style sequels in the past few years — Mr. Stallone answered in a word: "technology".

The New York Times

(In that state, their answers to questions about sexual tastes,, violence and condom use were far less respectable).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "respectable answer" when you want to convey that a response is not only an answer, but also worthy of consideration due to its quality or the credibility of its source.

Common error

While "respectable answer" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it in overly casual or informal settings where a simpler term like "good answer" or "valid point" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respectable answer" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "respectable" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the answer as being worthy of respect or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "respectable answer" is a grammatically correct and usable term, though relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI identifies it as an adjective-noun phrase indicating an answer worthy of respect or consideration. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it conveys credibility and thoughtfulness. While acceptable, it's best to avoid overusing it in informal settings. Consider alternatives such as "credible response" or "valid response" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credible response

Replaces "respectable" with "credible", focusing on the believability of the answer.

valid response

Focuses on the correctness and legitimacy of the answer.

plausible explanation

Substitutes both words to convey an answer that is believable and well-reasoned.

reasonable reply

Changes "respectable" to "reasonable" and "answer" to "reply", emphasizing the logical aspect of the response.

legitimate answer

Underscores the lawfulness and authenticity of the response.

sound justification

Replaces both words to indicate a well-founded and logical answer.

authoritative response

Emphasizes that the answer comes from a credible and trustworthy source.

convincing argument

Implies that the answer is persuasive and well-supported.

defensible argument

Highlights the ability to protect or defend the answer with logical reasoning or support.

tenable explanation

Replaces with less common synonyms, "tenable explanation" suggests an answer that can be defended.

FAQs

What does "respectable answer" mean?

A "respectable answer" is one that is considered worthy of consideration, often because it's well-reasoned, supported by evidence, or comes from a credible source.

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

You might say, "After considering all the options, she gave a "respectable answer" to the committee's question."

What are some alternatives to "respectable answer"?

You can use alternatives like "credible response", "reasonable reply", or "valid response" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "respectable answer" formal or informal?

"Respectable answer" is generally considered more formal. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "good answer" might be preferred.