short answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"short answer" is a correct phrase in written English.
You would use this term when you're referring to a response that is brief and to the point. For example, "The professor's question was complex, but I still gave a short answer of 'yes'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The short answer: money.

The New York Times

There's your short answer.

The New York Times

The short answer, yes.

The New York Times - Sports

Short answer: who knows?

The New York Times

(My short answer: no).

The New York Times

Short answer: too successful.

Independent

Short answer: yes.

The New York Times - Arts

Short answer: Maybe.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The short answer: life!

Princeton University

Short answer: God, yes.

The Guardian - Sport

Short answer: lamentably.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "short answer" when you want to provide a direct and concise response, especially when a more elaborate explanation isn't necessary or appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "short answer" when the context demands a thorough explanation. Providing a brief response when a detailed analysis is expected can be perceived as dismissive or unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "short answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to introduce a concise or brief response to a question or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples from Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "short answer" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to introduce a brief and direct response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media, and academic settings. When using "short answer", it's important to ensure that a concise response is appropriate for the situation, avoiding its overuse when detailed explanations are needed. Alternatives like "brief response" or "concise reply" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief response

Focuses on the conciseness of the reply.

concise reply

Emphasizes succinctness and clarity in the answer.

quick response

Highlights the speed of the answer.

succinct explanation

Underscores the brevity of the explanation provided.

abbreviated reply

Indicates a shortened or condensed answer.

summary answer

Suggests an answer that provides a summary of key points.

to put it briefly

Introduces a short and direct explanation.

in brief

Offers a condensed version of information.

the essence is

Conveys the core or most important aspect of the answer.

the crux of the matter

Highlights the central point or critical aspect of the response.

FAQs

How do I use "short answer" in a sentence?

You can use "short answer" to introduce a brief and direct response, such as, "The question was complex, but the "short answer" is 'yes'."

What can I say instead of "short answer"?

You can use alternatives like "brief response", "concise reply", or "quick response", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "short answer" or "briefly answer"?

"Short answer" is a noun phrase used to introduce a concise response. "Briefly answer" is a verb phrase indicating the action of providing a short answer.

What's the difference between "short answer" and "quick reply"?

"Short answer" generally refers to the content of the response being brief. "Quick reply" emphasizes the speed at which the response is given.