what their answer was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what their answer was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the response given by someone in a conversation or inquiry. Example: "I asked the students about their favorite books, but I didn't catch what their answer was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I asked TfL what their answer was.

The Guardian

"Do you know what their answer was? 'Deal with it.' ".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Still, I'm eager to see what their answer is".

The New York Times

In time, we will see what their answer is to WestlawNext.

Cornell University

"They don't know what their answer is to this crisis because their traditional answer – which is the race to the bottom answer of the low wage, low skilled, insecurity, let's just keep out answer – is not an answer".

The Guardian

Even if you really don't care what their answer is, it doesn't matter.

HuffPost

Tell them you'll still love them all the same regardless of what their answer is.

WikiHow

By the end of this conversation your parents will know what their answer is.

WikiHow

So what?" Their answers are likely to fuel the image of Cameron and his colleagues presented by Nadine Dorries, the Tory backbencher, who once described the prime minister and chancellor as "two posh boys who don't know the price of milk".

The Guardian

Teacher B (i.e., at school B) decided who would present her/his strategy after asking students what their answers were.

International Journal of STEM Education

In order to prove this point, Kimmel sent his cameras out on Hollywood Boulevard to ask men, "Have you looked up the leaked celebrity nude photos?" Can you guess what their answers were?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "what their answer was", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to. Maintaining clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

A common mistake is using "what their answer was" without clearly establishing who "they" are. Before using the phrase, make sure the subject is clearly defined to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what their answer was" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically sound way to refer to a previous response. Examples in Ludwig show its use in reporting what someone said or inquiring about a past answer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what their answer was" is a grammatically sound phrase used as a noun clause to refer to a previous response. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. Although less frequent, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, from News & Media to Academia, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating who "they" refers to. Alternatives include "what their response was" or "what they replied". By understanding its function and usage, you can employ "what their answer was" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what their response was

Replaces "answer" with "response", maintaining the same meaning but using a different noun.

what their reply was

Similar to "what their answer was" but uses the noun "reply" instead of "answer".

what they replied

Uses the verb "replied" instead of the noun phrase "their answer was", making it more concise.

what the response they gave was

Rephrases to emphasize the act of giving a response.

what their determination was

Substitutes "answer" with "determination", implying a firm decision or conclusion.

what their conclusion was

Uses "conclusion" instead of "answer", suggesting a final judgment or result.

what their decision was

Replaces "answer" with "decision", implying a choice made after consideration.

what they stated

Replaces the entire phrase with a simple verb "stated", focusing on the act of making a statement.

what their position was

Uses "position" to refer to their stance or opinion on a matter.

what they communicated

Uses "communicated" to broadly refer to the information they conveyed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what their answer was"?

You can use alternatives like "what their response was", "what they replied", or "what their reply was" depending on the context.

Is "what their answer was" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what their answer was" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to inquire about or refer to a previous response.

What is the difference between "what their answer was" and "what was their answer"?

"What their answer was" is typically used in reported speech or as a noun clause, while "what was their answer" is a direct question. For example, "I wondered what their answer was" vs. "What was their answer when you asked them?"

In what contexts is "what their answer was" typically used?

The phrase "what their answer was" is often used in narratives, reports, or discussions when referring back to a response someone gave. It's common in both formal and informal settings.