Collocations for answer - noun
1. sth that you say/write/do as a reply
ADJECTIVE
brief,
one-word,
quick,
short
The short answer to your question is that he has acted completely illegally.
The short answer to your question is that he has acted completely illegally.
blunt,
direct,
straight,
straightforward
I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
clear
detailed, full, precise
definite
I cannot give you a definite answer just yet.
detailed, full, precise
definite
I cannot give you a definite answer just yet.
immediate
final
affirmative, positive
negative
honest, truthful
serious
real, reasonable, satisfactory, sensible
unclear, vague
final
affirmative, positive
negative
honest, truthful
serious
real, reasonable, satisfactory, sensible
unclear, vague
VERB + answer
get,
have,
receive
Did you ever get an answer to your letter?
Did you ever get an answer to your letter?
demand,
want
I want some answers before I agree to anything.
I want some answers before I agree to anything.
need
await, wait for
expect
He was clearly expecting a different answer.
await, wait for
expect
He was clearly expecting a different answer.
deserve
The question deserves a proper answer.
The question deserves a proper answer.
give sb,
offer,
provide,
supply
Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements.
We can provide answers to any questions you may have about the system.
Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements.
We can provide answers to any questions you may have about the system.
formulate
I struggled to formulate an answer.
I struggled to formulate an answer.
guess,
know
I think you can guess the answer—they won't lend us the money.
I think you can guess the answer—they won't lend us the money.
dread,
fear
‘Is it true?’ she asked, dreading the answer.
‘Is it true?’ she asked, dreading the answer.
hear
He left without waiting to hear her answer.
He left without waiting to hear her answer.
PREPOSITION
in answer to
In answer to your question, I can only say that we did not find her work of a satisfactory standard.
In answer to your question, I can only say that we did not find her work of a satisfactory standard.
answer to
her answer to his question
her answer to his question
2. solution to a problem
ADJECTIVE
easy,
instant,
pat,
ready,
simple,
straightforward
There are no easy, pat answers.
There are no easy, pat answers.
clear,
clear-cut,
obvious
The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
logical,
plausible,
reasonable,
sensible
adequate, real, satisfactory
complete, convincing, definitive, effective, good, perfect
long-term
partial
adequate, real, satisfactory
complete, convincing, definitive, effective, good, perfect
long-term
partial
VERB + answer
have,
know
We are aware of this problem, but we do not have the answer.
We are aware of this problem, but we do not have the answer.
look for,
seek
arrive at, come up with, discover, find
We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
arrive at, come up with, discover, find
We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
give sb,
offer,
provide,
suggest,
yield
If you really want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
If you really want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
answer + VERB
come to sb
The answer came to him in a flash.
The answer came to him in a flash.
depend on sth,
lie in sth
The answer lies in a combination of factors.
The answer lies in a combination of factors.
PHRASES
have all the answers,
know all the answers
He's so arrogant, he thinks he knows all the answers.
He's so arrogant, he thinks he knows all the answers.
3. to questions in a test/competition
ADJECTIVE
acceptable,
appropriate,
correct,
right
incorrect, wrong
written
This part of the exam requires a written answer.
incorrect, wrong
written
This part of the exam requires a written answer.
long,
short
(both esp. AmE)
the short-answer section of the test
the short-answer section of the test
VERB + answer
give,
submit
guess
It's not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose points.
guess
It's not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose points.
know
find
The students are allowed to use textbooks to find the right answer.
find
The students are allowed to use textbooks to find the right answer.
print,
write
Please print the answers to questions 1 and 2.
Please print the answers to questions 1 and 2.