When you answer, you are providing a response to something that has been asked or said. It's like offering information back after a question has been posed to you. This can be done verbally, in writing, or even through actions. For example, if someone asks, "How are you?", your reply is your answer. You are essentially giving them the information they requested.
§ Understanding the Basics
The verb "to answer" means to give a reply to a question. It's a very common verb in English and can be used in many different situations. It can refer to responding to a direct question, a phone call, a letter, or even a knock at the door.
- DEFINITION
- To give a reply to a question.
Can you answer my question?
§ Grammar: Transitive vs. Intransitive
"To answer" can be both a transitive and an intransitive verb. When it's transitive, it takes a direct object, meaning you answer *something* (a question, a letter, etc.). When it's intransitive, it doesn't take a direct object, and you might just say you "answered."
- Transitive: You directly answer a specific thing.
She answered all my questions.
He didn't answer the phone.
- Intransitive: You simply respond, without specifying what you're responding to. This is often used in conversations.
When I asked, he just didn't answer.
§ Common Prepositions with "To Answer"
While "to answer" can often stand alone or take a direct object, it can also be used with prepositions in certain contexts. However, it's important to note that you generally *don't* use "to" after "answer" when it's followed by the thing being answered (e.g., "answer the question," not "answer to the question").
- Answer for: This often means to take responsibility for something or to explain something.
You will have to answer for your actions.
She had to answer for the mistakes made by her team.
- Answer to: This can mean to be accountable to someone, or to respond to a name or description.
The manager has to answer to the CEO.
Does this description answer to the person you saw?
§ Examples in Different Tenses
Here are some examples of "to answer" used in various tenses:
- Present Simple: For habitual actions or facts.
I always answer my emails quickly.
- Present Continuous: For actions happening now.
She is answering the phone right now.
- Past Simple: For completed actions in the past.
He answered my call yesterday.
- Future Simple: For actions that will happen in the future.
I will answer your letter soon.
§ Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes is using "to" after "answer" when it's directly followed by the thing being answered. Remember to treat it as a direct object.
- INCORRECT
- I will answer to your question.
- CORRECT
- I will answer your question.
按水平分级的例句
Please answer the question.
Пожалуйста, ответьте на вопрос.
I will answer your email tomorrow.
Я отвечу на ваше письмо завтра.
Can you answer the phone, please?
Можете ответить на звонок, пожалуйста?
She didn't answer my question.
Она не ответила на мой вопрос.
He knows how to answer difficult questions.
Он знает, как отвечать на сложные вопросы.
I need to answer these letters.
Мне нужно ответить на эти письма.
The teacher asked the students to answer the questions in their books.
Учитель попросил учеников ответить на вопросы в их книгах.
It's important to answer truthfully.
Важно отвечать правдиво.
Could you please answer the phone?
Could you pick up the phone?
Here, 'answer' means to respond to a ringing telephone.
I need to answer an email from my boss.
I have to reply to an email from my boss.
'Answer' is used for replying to written communications like emails or letters.
She was quick to answer all my questions.
She quickly responded to all my questions.
This shows a prompt and efficient response to questions.
It's important to answer truthfully in court.
It's important to reply honestly in court.
This emphasizes the quality of the answer, specifically honesty.
I don't know how to answer that question.
I don't know how to respond to that question.
This expresses a lack of ability or knowledge to provide a reply.
The survey asks you to answer a few simple questions.
The survey requests you to respond to a few easy questions.
'Answer' is often used in the context of surveys or questionnaires.
He tried to answer the teacher's question, but he was too nervous.
He attempted to respond to the teacher's question, but he felt too anxious.
This shows an effort to provide an answer, despite a difficulty.
Please answer me as soon as possible.
Please reply to me as quickly as you can.
This is a polite request for a timely response.
In his seminal work, the philosopher sought to answer profound questions regarding the nature of existence and consciousness, challenging established paradigms.
Seminal: influential; paradigms: models.
Here, 'to answer' takes 'profound questions' as its direct object, indicating a deep engagement with the subject matter.
Despite extensive research and numerous experiments, scientists have yet to definitively answer how life originated on Earth, leaving room for ongoing debate.
Definitively: conclusively; originated: began.
The phrase 'to definitively answer' emphasizes the desire for a conclusive resolution to a complex scientific query.
The esteemed panel of economists convened to answer critical inquiries about the impending global recession, offering diverse perspectives on mitigation strategies.
Esteemed: respected; convened: gathered; impending: approaching; mitigation: reduction.
In this context, 'to answer critical inquiries' suggests providing expert analysis and solutions to urgent economic issues.
As a seasoned diplomat, she possessed the uncanny ability to artfully answer provocative questions from the press without revealing sensitive governmental information.
Seasoned: experienced; uncanny: unusual; artfully: skillfully; provocative: stimulating.
The adverb 'artfully' modifies 'answer,' highlighting the skillful and subtle manner in which the diplomat handles challenging questions.
The intricate algorithms developed by the tech giant aim to answer user queries with unparalleled accuracy and speed, revolutionizing information retrieval.
Intricate: complex; algorithms: sets of rules; unparalleled: unmatched; revolutionizing: transforming.
Here, 'to answer user queries' refers to the core function of a search engine or AI, processing and responding to requests.
Facing intense scrutiny, the CEO was compelled to answer for the company's ethical transgressions, outlining a comprehensive plan for corporate reform.
Scrutiny: close examination; compelled: forced; transgressions: violations; comprehensive: complete.
The idiom 'to answer for' implies being held accountable and explaining one's actions, often in a formal or public setting.
The novel's protagonist grappled with an existential crisis, desperately seeking to answer fundamental questions about purpose and meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Protagonist: main character; grappled: struggled; existential: relating to existence; indifferent: uncaring.
The verb 'to answer' is used here to describe the character's internal struggle to find solutions or understanding to profound personal questions.
Legal scholars continue to debate whether current international laws are adequate to answer the complex challenges posed by cyber warfare and digital espionage.
Scholars: academics; adequate: sufficient; posed: presented; espionage: spying.
In this sentence, 'to answer the complex challenges' means to effectively address or resolve difficult issues within a legal framework.
常见搭配
常用短语
I can answer that.
Я могу ответить на это.
Please answer me.
Пожалуйста, ответьте мне.
Did you answer?
Ты ответил?
It's difficult to answer.
На это трудно ответить.
She didn't answer.
Она не ответила.
He needs to answer.
Ему нужно ответить.
I'll try to answer.
Я постараюсь ответить.
Can you answer?
Можешь ответить?
No one answered.
Никто не ответил.
To answer your question...
Отвечая на ваш вопрос...
记住它
记忆技巧
Imagine a student raising their **hand** to **answer** a question in class. **A**lways **N**ever **S**ay **W**rong **E**very **R**esponse.
视觉联想
Picture a 'question mark' character on one side and a 'speech bubble' character on the other, with the speech bubble character giving a thoughtful reply to the question mark. This represents giving a reply to a question.
Word Web
挑战
Think of five different types of questions you might be asked, and then come up with a simple 'answer' for each. For example: 1. 'What's your name?' - 'My name is [your name].' 2. 'How are you today?' - 'I'm doing well, thank you.' 3. 'What's your favorite color?' - 'My favorite color is blue.' 4. 'Where are you from?' - 'I am from [your city/country].' 5. 'What time is it?' - 'It is [current time].'
在生活中练习
真实语境
I called him yesterday, but he didn't answer.
- didn't answer
- can you answer?
- he didn't answer
Can you answer the phone, please? I'm busy.
- answer the phone
- please answer
- can you answer
She was quick to answer my question about the project.
- answer my question
- quick to answer
- answer about
I sent her an email, but she hasn't answered yet.
- hasn't answered yet
- didn't answer
- to answer an email
He had no idea how to answer the difficult exam question.
- how to answer
- answer the question
- difficult to answer
对话开场白
"What's the hardest question you've ever had to answer?"
"Do you usually answer calls from unknown numbers?"
"How quickly do you usually answer emails or messages?"
"What's the best way to answer a tricky question from a friend?"
"Is it ever okay to not answer a direct question?"
日记主题
Describe a time you felt really good about how you answered a question.
Write about a situation where you wished you had answered differently.
Reflect on why someone might choose not to answer a question.
Imagine you have to answer three important questions about your future. What are they and how do you answer them?
Think about a time you had to answer for someone else's actions. How did that feel?
自我测试 48 个问题
Please ____ the teacher's question.
To give a reply to a question, we use the verb 'answer'.
Can you ____ me? I don't know the way.
To reply to someone, you 'answer' them.
She didn't ____ my call.
When someone calls you, you 'answer' the call.
I will ____ your email soon.
To reply to an email, you 'answer' it.
He needs to ____ the question carefully.
When you are asked a question, you 'answer' it.
Don't forget to ____ my text message.
To reply to a text message, you 'answer' it.
Choose the correct word: She likes to ___ questions.
To answer means to give a reply to a question. The other options do not fit the context.
What do you do when someone asks you a question?
When someone asks a question, you give a reply, which is to answer it.
My teacher asked me a question. I need to ___.
If a teacher asks a question, you need to give a reply, or answer it.
To answer means to ask a question.
To answer means to give a reply to a question, not to ask one.
You can answer the phone when it rings.
To answer the phone means to pick it up and speak, which is a form of replying.
It is important to answer politely.
When you give a reply, it's good to do so in a polite way.
This is a common phrase used to ask someone to pick up a ringing phone.
This sentence describes someone's inability to provide a reply to a challenging question.
This indicates an expectation for a prompt reply to an email.
The complex ethical dilemma required a nuanced approach to _______ all the stakeholders' concerns.
In this context, 'answer' is used metaphorically to mean 'to resolve or deal with a problem or situation successfully.' 'Address' could also work, but 'answer' fits the sense of finding a solution to a dilemma.
Despite repeated attempts, the cryptic riddle remained unanswered, much to the puzzlement of the scholars who had dedicated years to its unraveling. It seemed to _______ all their efforts.
Here, 'answer' means 'to satisfy or fulfill a need or requirement.' The riddle didn't 'answer' their efforts by yielding a solution. 'Defy' would imply resistance, which isn't quite the same nuance.
The newly discovered evidence did not _______ the question of the artifact's true origin, but rather deepened the mystery surrounding it.
'Answer' in this sentence means 'to provide a satisfactory explanation or solution for something.' The evidence failed to provide a clear explanation for the origin.
When faced with the profound existential questions of life and death, many turn to philosophy or religion to _______ the unanswerable.
'Answer the unanswerable' is an idiomatic expression that means to attempt to find meaning or a response to questions that may not have definitive answers. 'Grapple with' is close but 'answer' is more precise for the idiom.
Her eloquent and meticulously researched rebuttal served to _______ the critics' accusations with irrefutable logic and evidence.
In this context, 'answer' means 'to refute or rebut an argument or accusation.' Her rebuttal successfully 'answered' the criticisms.
The company's new policy was designed to _______ the growing demand for sustainable products, aligning with consumer values and environmental responsibility.
Here, 'answer' signifies 'to respond to a need or demand.' The policy was created to 'answer' or address the demand for sustainable products.
The complex ethical dilemma required a nuanced approach to _______ all stakeholders' concerns.
While 'answer' implies giving a direct reply, 'address' is more appropriate when discussing the need to consider and deal with concerns, especially in a complex situation. 'Reply' and 'respond' are similar to 'answer' but less fitting for 'concerns'.
Despite the prosecutor's aggressive cross-examination, the witness managed to _______ every accusation with unwavering composure.
'Rebut' specifically means to prove something to be false by argument or evidence, which is fitting for addressing accusations in a legal context. 'Answer' and 'respond to' are too general, and 'counter' is less precise than 'rebut' in this scenario.
The senator's evasive comments did not directly _______ the journalist's probing questions about the scandal.
To 'answer' a question means to give a direct reply. The sentence implies that the senator avoided giving direct replies. 'Satisfy' and 'clarify' relate to the quality of the response, and 'address' is broader, meaning to deal with the question, but 'answer' is the most direct fit for the act of replying to a question.
To 'answer for' someone's mistakes means to take responsibility for them.
The idiom 'to answer for' something or someone means to take responsibility or be held accountable for their actions or mistakes.
If you 'answer the call of duty,' you are avoiding your obligations.
To 'answer the call of duty' means to respond to a summons to perform a task or obligation, particularly in a brave or dedicated manner, thus fulfilling one's obligations rather than avoiding them.
When you 'answer back' to an authority figure, you are demonstrating respectful obedience.
To 'answer back' typically means to reply impolitely or defiantly, especially to someone in authority, which is the opposite of demonstrating respectful obedience.
The senator refused to ______ directly to the allegations, instead issuing a vague statement through her press secretary.
While 'reply', 'respond', and 'rejoin' are synonyms, 'answer' is the most direct and forceful verb when referring to addressing allegations directly, implying a comprehensive and conclusive response. The nuance here suggests a deliberate avoidance of such a direct address.
Despite repeated probing from the journalists, the CEO continued to ______ the more contentious questions with non-committal platitudes.
The phrase 'answer with non-committal platitudes' implies a perfunctory or evasive response without truly addressing the core of the question. While 'evade' is tempting, 'answer' here captures the act of providing a response, however unsatisfactory, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.
The philosophical conundrum about free will continues to ______ debate among scholars, with no definitive consensus in sight.
In this context, 'answer' is used in a more abstract sense, meaning to provide a solution or resolution to a problem or question. The sentence implies that no such resolution has been found for the conundrum, hence it continues to 'answer debate', meaning to fuel or sustain it through ongoing discussion rather than settle it.
To 'answer for' one's actions implies accepting responsibility and consequences for them.
The idiom 'to answer for' specifically means to be held accountable or responsible for something, often with the implication of facing consequences.
When someone 'answers the call of duty,' it signifies their refusal to fulfill their obligations.
To 'answer the call of duty' means to respond to and fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations, particularly in a demanding or critical situation, not to refuse them.
If a situation 'answers to a description,' it perfectly matches the details provided.
When something 'answers to a description,' it means it corresponds precisely or accurately to the characteristics or details given in that description.
Focus on the defense attorney's actions regarding questions.
Consider the urgency and difficulty of responding to the message.
Listen for how she approached the 'conundrum' and her response.
Read this aloud:
In the face of profound ethical dilemmas, one must carefully weigh all ramifications before attempting to answer, as a hasty response can often lead to unintended and far-reaching consequences.
Focus: ramifications, hasty, unintended, far-reaching, consequences
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
The plenipotentiary's mandate precluded him from offering a definitive answer to the sovereign's proposal without prior consultation with his government, a diplomatic nicety that underscored the delicate balance of international relations.
Focus: plenipotentiary, precluded, definitive, sovereign, consultation, diplomatic nicety, underscored
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
To truly answer the existential question of human purpose requires not merely intellectual assent, but a profound introspection that transcends superficial doctrines and embraces the inherent complexities of consciousness.
Focus: existential, profound, introspection, transcends, superficial doctrines, inherent complexities, consciousness
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes the audacious nature of someone's response.
This sentence emphasizes the effort to respond calmly and steadily.
This sentence highlights how a lack of response can convey significant meaning.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
例句
Please answer the phone.
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
更多communication词汇
advice
A2指别人给出的建议或推荐，旨在帮助你做出决定或改进某事。
advise
A2给某人提供关于如何做某事的建议或指导。
aloud
A2就是用一种别人能清楚听到的声音说话。
break the ice
B1做或说一些能让人们在社交场合感到更放松、更舒适的事情，尤其是在初次见面时。它用于缓解团体中的紧张或尴尬。
communication
B1通过语言、文字或其他方式与他人交换信息或想法的过程。
complain
A2对某事感到不满并向别人表达出来。
congratulate
A2当某人取得成功或遇到喜事时，向他表示祝贺。
conversation
A2对话是指两个人或多个人之间的交谈。
converse
B2指与某人进行交谈或对话。
disagree
B1不同意就是对某事持有不同的看法。
