This situation may happen. The context : ok I see your question but also I see where you are going and the question is not the point... the point is : take another approach (many beginer questions).
But surely, it is subjective to "know" or "understand" that the OP needs this kind of answer.
How to behave in this kind of situation ? Giving a "two level answer" (answering directly and also give another direction) ?
Example : boolean modifier usage and its consequences concerning ngons, edges loops, subsurf modifier, ...