the answer eludes us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the answer eludes us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that a solution or explanation is difficult to find or understand. Example: "Despite our extensive research, the answer eludes us, and we must seek further assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today the answer eludes us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are those days, those times, those zones when no matter what you try, regardless where you turn, the answer eludes the grasp.

Huffington Post

The perfect resolution eludes us but progress has been made.

Huffington Post

We discuss that in the interview, but the answer still eludes us.

TechCrunch

Again, easy answers elude us, as maybe they should.

Huffington Post

For instance, the need to find the structure of DNA was a very well defined problem, but the answer eluded even the most talented chemists.

Harvard Business Review

And in case the answers eluded you, he himself supplied them -- the first volume of his collected writings has already been published.

The New York Times - Magazine

While the answer to these questions still eludes us, the study from Campisi and colleagues highlights the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in vivo and its impact on the aging process.

Aging

"But the remedy eludes us," he said.

Independent

Sometimes the logic eludes us.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, even the past eludes us.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure the context implies a genuine search for understanding, rather than mere ignorance or avoidance.

Common error

Avoid using "the answer eludes us" in informal settings or everyday conversations. It's more suited to formal writing or discussions where a serious attempt at understanding is underway.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the answer eludes us" functions as a statement expressing that a solution or explanation is currently unattainable or difficult to comprehend. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This usage is consistent across various domains, indicating its broad applicability in conveying a sense of unresolved inquiry.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the answer eludes us" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that expresses the difficulty or impossibility of finding a solution or understanding a concept. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing examples across diverse domains, including news, science, and academia. While most common in news and science contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic discourse. When the answer remains unknown despite efforts to uncover it, this is the right phrase to express that situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the solution escapes us

Replaces "answer" with "solution" and "eludes" with "escapes", altering the specific noun and verb while maintaining the overall meaning.

the answer remains elusive

Replaces "eludes" with "remains elusive", keeping the core meaning of the answer being difficult to capture or define.

we cannot find the answer

Uses a more direct and straightforward expression, focusing on the inability to locate the answer instead of its evasiveness.

the answer is beyond our grasp

Emphasizes the unattainability of the answer, suggesting it is out of reach or comprehension.

the response is beyond our grasp

Similar to "the answer is beyond our grasp", emphasizes the unattainability of the response or answer.

we are unable to determine the answer

Focuses on the inability to ascertain or establish the answer, highlighting the lack of a definitive resolution.

we have not been able to ascertain the answer

Similar to 'unable to determine', this highlights the lack of success in discovering the answer.

the solution is not apparent

Shifts the focus to the lack of clarity or obviousness of the solution, implying it is not easily visible or understandable.

the answer is a mystery to us

Highlights the enigmatic nature of the answer, presenting it as something unknown and perplexing.

the answer is not forthcoming

Indicates that the answer is not readily available or easily provided, suggesting reluctance or difficulty in its revelation.

FAQs

What does "the answer eludes us" mean?

It means that despite attempts to find or understand something, the solution or explanation remains difficult to grasp or determine.

What can I say instead of "the answer eludes us"?

You can use alternatives like "the solution escapes us", "we cannot find the answer", or "the answer is beyond our grasp depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "the answer eludes us" in a formal setting?

Yes, "the answer eludes us" is suitable for formal settings, particularly when discussing complex problems or challenges where a clear solution has not yet been found. It conveys a sense of persistent inquiry and intellectual honesty.

Can "the answer eludes us" be used when the solution is intentionally hidden?

While the phrase can be used in situations where the solution is genuinely difficult to find, it may not be the most appropriate choice if the solution is intentionally concealed. In such cases, phrases like "the truth is obscured" or "the facts are suppressed" might be more fitting.