unanswered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unanswered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a question has not been answered. For example, "The student was left with an unanswered question after the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One question remains unanswered.

The Guardian

The unanswered questions, and of course there are a few, we will continue to discuss".

The Guardian

But seven unanswered goals from the Swans closed the margin to just three points midway through the final term, ensuring for a frantic finish.

The Guardian - Sport

Jefferies bank said: "BT has launched discounted mobile, a move that surely cannot go unanswered until 2016".

The Guardian

Emails to the department for the attention of Salmon went unanswered.

The Guardian

Attempts to alert the local military post by telephone were hampered by unanswered calls and poor phone networks.

The Guardian

The crucial and unanswered question is what level of recruit Whyte is willing to subsidise, particularly if Jelavic remains a Rangers player.

The Guardian - Sport

We are buying into the emotion and handing over money but who it's going to and how it is helping [Uganda's children] is left unanswered", says Phil Borge, a director of London-based 1000 Heads, a "word of mouth" marketing agency.

The Guardian

Perhaps it flew away, because it went unanswered.

The Guardian

This is not to be dismissed out of hand, for a party led by someone fatally undermined by a relentless and largely unanswered five-year press campaign.

The Guardian

More, they need to be persuaded that urgent unanswered questions are being genuinely addressed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unanswered" to describe questions, calls, or pleas that have not received a response. This clearly indicates a lack of resolution or communication.

Common error

Avoid using "unanswered" to describe situations where an attempt to answer was made but failed. "Unanswered" means there was no response at all, not a poor or incorrect one.

Linguistic Context

The word "unanswered" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns like 'question', 'call', or 'plea' to indicate a lack of response or resolution. Ludwig's examples show it is often used to describe inquiries or issues that remain pending.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unanswered" serves as an adjective, primarily used to describe questions, calls, or requests that have not received a response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across various contexts, including news, sports, and formal communications. While "unanswered" is versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring that it describes a complete lack of response rather than a poor one. Related terms such as "unaddressed" and "unresolved" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, each with a slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unanswered question

Explicitly refers to a question that has not been answered.

unanswered inquiry

Specifically denotes an inquiry that has not received a response.

unanswered call

Directly refers to a phone call that has not been answered.

unaddressed

Focuses on the lack of attention or dealing with something.

unresolved

Highlights the lack of a solution or decision.

unreplied

Emphasizes the absence of a response to a communication.

unacknowledged

Stresses the lack of recognition or acceptance.

unanswered plea

Highlights a request or appeal that has been ignored.

outstanding

Indicates something remains to be done or settled.

pending

Implies something is waiting for a decision or action.

FAQs

How to use "unanswered" in a sentence?

You can use "unanswered" to describe questions, calls, or letters that have not received a response. For instance, "The detective was left with many "unanswered questions" after interviewing the witness".

What can I say instead of "unanswered"?

You can use alternatives like "unaddressed", "unresolved", or "unreplied" depending on the context. "Unaddressed" emphasizes a lack of attention, while "unresolved" highlights a lack of a solution.

Which is correct, "unanswered question" or "unanswerable question"?

"Unanswered question" refers to a question that has not yet been answered, while "unanswerable question" refers to a question that cannot be answered. The correct term depends on whether an answer exists or is simply missing.

What's the difference between "unanswered" and "unresolved"?

"Unanswered" typically applies to questions, calls, or communications that have not received a response. "Unresolved" applies to issues, problems, or conflicts that have not been settled or solved. Although related, their usage depends on the context.