Meaning & use
evasive answers
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Meaning
phraseplural
Replies that avoid giving a direct or clear response, often to dodge a question or hide the truth.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase. For one reply, use the singular 'an evasive answer'.
Patterns
- give evasive answers
- evasive answers about something
- respond with evasive answers
The witness gave evasive answers whenever the lawyer asked about that night.
His evasive answers made it clear he was hiding something.
She was tired of his evasive answers and demanded the truth.
Common combinations
- give evasive answers
- The manager gave evasive answers when asked about the budget cuts.
- evasive answers about something
- Her evasive answers about her whereabouts raised suspicion.
- respond with evasive answers
- He responded with evasive answers instead of admitting the mistake.
- a series of evasive answers
- The interview turned into a series of evasive answers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- evasions
- Evasions are acts of avoiding, while 'evasive answers' are the actual replies that avoid; evasions can be actions, not just words.
- dodges
- Dodges is informal and often suggests clever tricks; 'evasive answers' is more neutral and formal.
- equivocations
- Equivocations are deliberately vague statements that can be misunderstood; evasive answers may be vague but not necessarily misleading.
Opposites
Word family
- evade verb
- To avoid or escape something, often by using tricks.
- evasion noun
- The act of avoiding something or not answering directly.
- evasively adverb
- In a way that avoids giving a direct answer.
- evasiveness noun
- The quality of being evasive.
Commonly confused: evasive answers or evasive?
evasive answers vs evasive
Evasive is an adjective ('an evasive answer'), while 'evasive answers' is a noun phrase. Don't say 'evasive answers' to mean the adjective; say 'evasive' before a singular noun.
Practice
The politician was criticized for giving ______ when asked about the scandal.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'evasive answers' fits because it is a plural noun phrase meaning replies that avoid clarity. 'Evasive answer' is singular and would need 'an' before it. 'Evasively answers' mixes an adverb with a verb, and 'evasiveness answers' is not a natural combination.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “evasive answers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.