Collocations for answer - noun
1. sth that you say/write/do as a reply
ADJ.
brief, quick, short
The short answer to your query is that he has acted completely illegally.
The short answer to your query is that he has acted completely illegally.
blunt, direct, straight
I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
detailed, full, precise | immediate | final | affirmative, positive | negative | honest, reasonable, sensible | dusty
(= unsatisfactory) I complained to the water company and received a very dusty answer.
(= unsatisfactory) I complained to the water company and received a very dusty answer.
VERB + ANSWER
get, have, receive
Did you ever get an answer to your letter?
Did you ever get an answer to your letter?
demand | wait for | give sb, offer
Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements. | She repeated her question, but he offered no answer.
Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements. | She repeated her question, but he offered no 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.
ANSWER + VERB
come
The answer came in a postcard she sent from Devon.
The answer came in a postcard she sent from Devon.
PREP.
in ~ to
In answer to your enquiries, I can only say that we did not find her work of a satisfactory standard.
In answer to your enquiries, I can only say that we did not find her work of a satisfactory standard.
~ to
her answer to his question
her answer to his question
2. solution to a problem
ADJ.
easy, instant, ready, simple | clear, clear-cut, obvious
The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
logical, reasonable, sensible | adequate, real, satisfactory | complete, convincing, definitive, effective, good, long-term, perfect | 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, find
We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
give sb, offer, provide
If you want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
If you want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
PREP.
~ to
There is no easy answer to the problem.
There is no easy answer to the problem.
PHRASES
have/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
ADJ.
acceptable, appropriate, correct, right | incorrect, wrong | written
This part of the exam requires a written answer.
This part of the exam requires a written answer.
VERB + ANSWER
give | guess
It''s not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose marks.
It''s not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose marks.
know | print, write
Please print the answers to questions 1 to 9.
Please print the answers to questions 1 to 9.
PREP.
~ to
Do you know the answer to the question?
Do you know the answer to the question?