unexpected answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"unexpected answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe an answer that isn't what you were expecting. For example, "I asked him what he wanted for dinner, and got an unexpected answer--he just laughed!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Health

Sports

Opinion

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Last week the sceptics got an unexpected answer.

The Economist

Popkin's book suggests an unexpected answer: If it were easy, everyone would do it.

The New York Times - Books

The unexpected answer is kindness, according to the psychoanalyst Adam Phillips and the historian Barbara Taylor.

The New York Times - Books

Dr. Short recounted an occasion, as described by Dr. Appel, when the computer gave an unexpected answer.

The New York Times - Tech

Anders's first novel is a clever addition to the old science versus magic debate, and arrives at an unexpected answer.

The Guardian - Books

HUDSON - WE were three men and four boys with a cold day to kill and an unexpected answer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Besides the many who said "My Mam", there were more unexpected answers.

The Economist

And since audiences sometimes give unexpected answers, he needs a comic's ability to react.

The New York Times - Arts

And to Mr. Dresser's credit, they end up finding unexpected answers.

The New York Times

The advent of digital computers and digital communications revealed that number theory could provide unexpected answers to real-world problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So what?" In the rest of the book, he pursues numerous thoughtful, unexpected answers to that question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected answer", ensure the context clearly establishes whose expectations were not met, as this adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "unexpected answer" when more specific adjectives might better convey the nuance of the surprise, such as "astounding", "puzzling", or "delightful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected answer" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unexpected" modifies the noun "answer". Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpected answer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a response that was not anticipated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. While versatile, be mindful of specific adjectives to convey the nuance of the surprise. When using "unexpected answer", ensure the context clearly indicates whose expectations were not met, thereby enhancing clarity and impact. Consider alternative phrases such as "surprising response" or "unforeseen reply" for added variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising response

Replaces "answer" with "response" and "unexpected" with "surprising", focusing on the reaction rather than just the information given.

unforeseen reply

Substitutes "answer" with "reply" and "unexpected" with "unforeseen", emphasizing the lack of anticipation.

unanticipated response

Replaces "answer" with "response" and "unexpected" with "unanticipated", which highlights the lack of prior expectation.

startling rejoinder

Uses "rejoinder" for a more formal and immediate response, while "startling" indicates a surprising or shocking element.

astonishing reply

Employs "astonishing" to convey a high level of surprise or disbelief at the response received.

peculiar answer

Replaces "unexpected" with "peculiar", suggesting the answer was odd or strange, rather than simply unanticipated.

unpredicted response

Focuses on the lack of prediction, using "unpredicted" in place of "unexpected".

out-of-the-blue answer

This idiomatic expression emphasizes the sudden and unpredictable nature of the answer.

surprise answer

A more direct and concise way of saying the answer was unexpected.

a twist in the response

Uses a more figurative expression to highlight the surprising or altered nature of the answer.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected answer" in a sentence?

You might say, "The detective's question elicited an "unexpected answer" that changed the course of the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "unexpected answer"?

Consider using phrases like "surprising response", "astonishing reply", or "unforeseen reply" to add variety to your writing.

Is "unexpected answer" formal or informal?

The phrase ""unexpected answer"" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language.

How does "unexpected answer" differ from "surprise answer"?

While both indicate surprise, ""unexpected answer"" often implies the answer was not anticipated, whereas "surprise answer" simply highlights the surprising nature of the response.