unequivocal reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unequivocal reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that a response is clear, unambiguous, and without any doubt. Example: "The committee provided an unequivocal reply to the proposal, leaving no room for misinterpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Fairy Pools of Skye, comes the unequivocal reply.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The unequivocal answer is, no.

Independent

"The unequivocal answer is yes," she said.

The New Yorker

My unequivocal answer is yes!

Huffington Post

It was an interview with Thomas that had appeared in Reason while he was head of the E.E.O.C. Thomas had been asked, "Are there any writers who were really influential to you when you were young, and still are?" He had been unequivocal in his reply.

The New Yorker

The reply was unequivocal: "The president is going to Washington".

The Guardian

Her reply was unequivocal: "That is my evidence on oath".

The Guardian

When I asked whether he would relent on the Palestinian territories, as de Gaulle had on Algeria, his reply was unequivocal: There was no new Sharon.

The New Yorker

Monbiot's reply is unequivocal: a fair trading system should be added to an ICU as a condition of refraining from a mass coordinated default.

The Guardian - Books

Asked if CNN had pressed him for assurances that he was not involved in phone hacking, Mr. Morgan replied, "My unequivocal statements on this matter speak for themselves".

The New York Times

When we'd mentioned our sailing ambitions to Alec, the Russian chief officer on our last cargo ship, his reply was fairly unequivocal.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unequivocal reply" when you want to stress the directness and certainty of a response, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

Common error

While "unequivocal" adds emphasis, don't overuse it. In simpler contexts, a "clear answer" or "direct response" may suffice, avoiding unnecessary formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unequivocal reply" functions as a noun phrase, where "unequivocal" modifies the noun "reply". It emphasizes the clarity and decisiveness of the response. Ludwig confirms the possibility to use it.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unequivocal reply" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a clear and decisive response. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is valid and usable. While not very common, it effectively conveys certainty, particularly in news and media contexts. For simpler situations, alternatives like "clear answer" or "direct response" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitive response

Replaces 'reply' with 'response' and 'unequivocal' with 'definitive', both suggesting a clear and final answer.

unambiguous response

Substitutes 'unequivocal' with 'unambiguous', highlighting the lack of ambiguity in the response.

clear answer

Uses simpler terms, focusing on the clarity of the answer.

explicit answer

Replaces 'unequivocal' with 'explicit', emphasizing the directness and clarity of the answer.

categorical answer

Uses 'categorical' instead of 'unequivocal', indicating an absolute and unconditional answer.

decisive answer

Highlights the conclusiveness of the answer.

firm response

Emphasizes the strength and certainty of the response.

certain answer

Focuses on the certainty conveyed by the answer.

resolute response

Indicates a firm and determined response.

definitive statement

Replaces both 'reply' and 'unequivocal' to provide a related more generic alternative, emphasizing that the statement given is final and clear.

FAQs

How can I use "unequivocal reply" in a sentence?

You can use "unequivocal reply" when describing a direct and clear response, such as: "The committee provided an "unequivocal reply" to the proposal, leaving no room for misinterpretation."

What are some alternatives to "unequivocal reply"?

Alternatives include "definitive response", "clear answer", or "unambiguous response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unequivocal reply" formal or informal?

"Unequivocal reply" leans towards formal due to the word "unequivocal". In informal settings, a phrase like "clear answer" might be more appropriate.

What does "unequivocal" mean?

"Unequivocal" means leaving no doubt; clear, unambiguous, and leaving no room for interpretation. Therefore, an "unequivocal reply" is a response that is direct and leaves no uncertainty.