Meaning & use
direct answer
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Meanings
nouncountable
a clear and honest reply that deals with the question or problem immediately, without avoiding it
Grammar: Use it with 'a' or in the plural: give a direct answer; give direct answers.
Patterns
- give someone a direct answer
- get a direct answer
- a direct answer to a question
She asked him if he was leaving, and he gave her a direct answer.
I still haven't received a direct answer to my email about the schedule.
The reporter wanted a direct answer, but the manager kept changing the subject.
nouncountable
a reply that states the facts plainly, without extra explanation or politeness
Grammar: Often used after 'in' to describe a way of replying: answer in a direct answer is not common, but 'give a direct answer' is.
Patterns
- a direct answer to something
- expect a direct answer
His direct answer surprised everyone because he usually talks around the issue.
In a job interview, a direct answer to 'Why do you want this job?' works better than a long story.
Word forms
| plural | direct answers |
|---|
Common combinations
- give a direct answer
- Please give me a direct answer: are you coming or not?
- a direct answer to a question
- The student gave a direct answer to the question about the novel's ending.
- get a direct answer
- You won't get a direct answer from him until he checks the facts.
- want a direct answer
- I want a direct answer, not another excuse.
- clear and direct answer
- Her clear and direct answer helped us decide quickly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- straight answer
- Very close in meaning; 'straight answer' is more informal and often suggests honesty after doubt.
- clear answer
- Focuses on being easy to understand, but it does not necessarily suggest honesty or lack of avoidance.
- honest answer
- Emphasizes truthfulness; a direct answer can be honest but also just brief and to the point.
Opposites
Commonly confused: direct answer or direct response?
direct answer vs direct response
Similar, but 'direct response' is often used in business or marketing for immediate reactions, while 'direct answer' is about replying to a question.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'direct answer' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'A direct answer about something' is the natural pattern. 'Answer of' is not used for this meaning, 'for to' is not grammatical, and 'answer on' is less common and sounds unnatural here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “direct answer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.