Received an answer vs Received the answer

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Received an answer' is used when referring to any answer in general, without specifying a particular one. On the other hand, 'received the answer' is used when referring to a specific, known answer. The choice between the two depends on whether the answer being discussed is specific or general.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1794 views

Received an answer

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to any answer in general.

This phrase is used when talking about receiving any answer without specifying a particular one.

Examples:

I sent an email with a question, but I haven't received an answer yet.
She asked for help, and she finally received an answer from the support team.

Show examples from the web [+]

Has the Commission received an answer from the Greek authorities?
Yet, just last week I received an answer from Mr De Silguy pointing out that this was absolute nonsense, that nickel does not pose a threat to health.
Unfortunately, I never even received an answer.
On several occasions, I have received an answer to my question long after the three-week deadline.
That is nearly six months ago, Mr President, and I have still not received an answer.
So far, however, I have not received an answer to my question.
In spite of this, about five months have passed and I have not yet received an answer.
Then, in September, I asked again what progress had rewarded your efforts, and I can tell the House that I have received an answer.
I have a very brief point to make, Mr President, which is that I have not received an answer to my questions regarding depleted uranium weapons and munitions.
I was then promised a written answer by last Thursday, but that did not happen either and I still have not received an answer.
We recently received an answer from Commissioner Dalli, stating that 'the link between smoking by young people and flavourings has been shown by market data and in several scientific studies'.
Firstly, Mr Barroso, I have still not received an answer to the question about the need for these genetically-modified potatoes, which are simply intended to provide industrial starch.
I received an answer from the Council yesterday, stating that it did not want to express an opinion on the proposal's legal validity as long as the proposal was being debated in the Council.
The applicant shall be informed of his or her right to refer the request to the Standing Committee of the EFTA States if he or she has not received an answer within reasonable time.
I have not yet received an answer from the Commission, but the draft answer to that question was leaked to Greek Cypriot journalists and other parties last week!
I received an answer in writing to a note in German from someone who is a French speaker - so it was a truly European conversation - and I was assured that this list had been given to the Committee on Budgetary Control.
Here is the latest example: I submitted a question in October, to which I have not received an answer to this day, namely when is the Council going to get round to implementing the salary increase promised to the Europol staff?
I have received an answer from the Carolingian Institute to the effect that they only have three well-characterised stem cell lines now available to them.
As I have not received an answer, I should like to ask you to take action.
Mr President, I have already sent you a letter - to which I have not received an answer - and I would like to ask you under which rule the microphone was switched off and why it was relevant to apply this rule.

Alternatives:

got a response
received a reply
obtained an answer
received feedback
received a solution

Received the answer

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a specific, known answer.

This phrase is used when talking about receiving a particular answer that is known or specified.

Examples:

After hours of searching, she finally received the answer to the riddle.
The teacher asked a question, and John was the first to raise his hand with the answer.

Show examples from the web [+]

He received the answer that this problem was being taken seriously and that the authorities in Brussels had been informed of it.
Once this person has received the answer he can do what he likes with it, and can therefore give it to the media, and what is more, I would say that it is his duty to do so.
In despair, he wrote to the local Department of Agriculture. "What should I do?" After a long silence, he received the answer: "We suggest that you learn to love them."
Ten Members completed a written questionnaire, we received the answers and the respective curriculum vitae were passed on.
And unfortunately when I first received the answers - and here you'll see six of the answers - I was a bit disappointed.
The issue of e-learning featured occasionally in the answers received.
We have sent a questionnaire to all the Member States and are currently analysing the answers received.
Has the Commission received an answer from the Greek authorities?
On 9 December 2009, I received the Commission's answer to Question E-5071/09 ('ECHA list of chemicals and why this is considered incomplete') submitted pursuant to Rule 117.
Since I received the Commission's answer to Question P-3803/06 regarding the opening of the N8 Rathcormac/Fermoy Bypass, the situation has become more serious.
For practical reasons, a first selection was made on the basis of the completeness of the answers received, and to reflect the best possible balance between Member States.
Where relevant, the ESRB shall, subject to strict rules of confidentiality, inform the ESAs without delay of the answers received.
Data subjects should be also informed that, if they are not satisfied with the answer received, they may contact another competent authority involved in the information exchange.
We received weak answers regarding the fight against corruption and the squandering of public money, a fundamental matter in my opinion.
The Minister said he had not received satisfactory answers from the Chinese authorities so far.
Could the Commission confirm that it has received the minister's answers and tell us exactly when it intends to give its view on this protocol agreement?
I have already received an answer from the Secretary-General, but it does not answer my question.
The fact is that we have still not received full answers on the approval of the Commission's accounts for 2001.
I have, however, received an answer from the Commission regarding the regulation's compliance with the WTO rules.
On 6 December 2004 the European Parliament received an answer from the Commission, which acknowledges that the problem is hard to avoid.

Alternatives:

got the response
received the reply
obtained the answer
received the feedback
received the solution

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Received an answer vs Received the answer