there was no answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"There was no answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you need to indicate that someone has not responded to something or an inquiry. For example, "I called the office several times, but there was no answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Obviously, there was no answer.

Independent

But there was no answer".

The New Yorker

In the morning, there was no answer.

The New Yorker

"There was no answer, no information".

The New York Times

There was no answer, and she left.

The New Yorker

"Naturally, there was no answer," Gregory recalled.

The New Yorker

There was no answer when I knocked.

The New Yorker

"There was no answer," he said.

The New York Times

There was no answer from God".

The New Yorker

There was no answer, because he was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Do you?" There was no answer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was no answer" to clearly indicate a lack of response to a question, call, or attempt to communicate. It's direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to use "there was no answer" when you actually mean "there was no solution". The first indicates a lack of direct response, while the second indicates an inability to resolve a problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was no answer" functions as a statement indicating the absence of a response to a question, request, or attempt at communication. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse scenarios, confirming its role as a clear and direct way to express a lack of reply.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there was no answer" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a lack of response. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While seemingly straightforward, it's important to distinguish between a lack of answer and a lack of solution. Alternatives like "there was no response" offer a more formal tone, while "it went unanswered" emphasizes the unresolved nature of a query. Understanding these nuances helps writers use the most precise language for their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there wasn't an answer

Uses a contraction and slightly different wording, but retains the original meaning.

there was no reply

Replaces "answer" with "reply", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different nuance.

there was no response

Substitutes "answer" with the more formal "response", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

no one answered

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the lack of a person answering, rather than the absence of an answer itself.

no answer was given

Uses a passive voice to emphasize that an answer was not provided.

it went unanswered

Shifts the focus to the question or issue remaining unresolved.

there was no solution

Implies a broader lack of resolution, not just a lack of direct response.

there was no acknowledgment

Emphasizes the lack of recognition or acceptance, beyond just a verbal answer.

silence ensued

Describes the situation after a question where no verbal response was received.

nothing was said

Suggests a complete lack of verbal communication in response to a question or request.

FAQs

How can I use "there was no answer" in a sentence?

You can use "there was no answer" to indicate a lack of response. For example, "I called several times, but "there was no answer"."

What's a more formal way to say "there was no answer"?

A more formal alternative would be "there was no response", which carries a similar meaning but suits professional contexts better.

Is it correct to say "there wasn't any answer" instead of "there was no answer"?

Yes, "there wasn't any answer" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning, although "there was no answer" is more concise.

When should I use "there was no answer" versus "it went unanswered"?

"There was no answer" focuses on the absence of a response itself. "It went unanswered" emphasizes that a specific question or request remained unresolved or ignored.