answering
answering — verb
1. to give a spoken, written, or practical reply after someone asks you something o
to give a spoken, written, or practical reply after someone asks you something or contacts you.
Valentina answered the teacher's question with a short clear sentence.
answer + question
Tariq answered the email before leaving the office for lunch.
The shop answered my complaint by offering a full refund.
When the reporter asked again, the mayor answered very calmly.
- ignore
to not react at all
文法句型
answer + question
answer + letter/email
answer + by + gerund
用法筆記
Common with questions, letters, emails, and complaints. The reply can be spoken, written, or shown through an action.
常見錯誤
2. to be known by a particular name or title.
to be known by a particular name or title.
The old sailing boat answers to the name of Sea Bird.
answer to the name of + noun
Among close friends, Christopher answers to the nickname Kit.
The village hall now answers to the title Riverside Centre.
In the records, the family dog answers to the name Pepper.
文法句型
answer to the name of + noun
用法筆記
This pattern is less common and slightly old-fashioned. It is mostly used in the fixed phrase 'answer to the name of'.
3. to respond when someone knocks at the door or when a call comes in.
to respond when someone knocks at the door or when a call comes in.
Noor ran downstairs to answer the door before the rain got worse.
answer the door
Anna was in the shower, so nobody answered the phone.
answer the phone
The receptionist answered the phone on the second ring.
A neighbor answered the door and signed for the parcel.
- miss
to fail to pick up the call or reach the door in time
文法句型
answer + the door
answer + the phone
用法筆記
Used with 'the door' and 'the phone'. It describes responding to the sound, not giving detailed information.
常見錯誤
4. to be suitable or good enough for what someone needs.
to be suitable or good enough for what someone needs.
A simple folding table answered for the family picnic.
answer for + need
If this smaller room answers, we can book it today.
if that answers
One extra blanket answered perfectly on the cold train ride.
The bakery's early delivery time answered for the school event.
- fail
to not meet the need
文法句型
answer for + need
if that answers
用法筆記
This sense is less common in modern everyday English. It often appears when someone checks whether a thing will do the job.
5. to match the details already given about someone or about an object being looked
to match the details already given about someone or about an object being looked for.
The man outside the station answered the witness description exactly.
answer + description
This blue suitcase answers to the missing bag report.
answer to + description
The child in the red coat answered the teacher's description.
None of the cars in the yard answered to the online listing.
- differ from
to not match the details
文法句型
answer + a description
answer to + description
用法筆記
Often used when identifying someone or something from details that were given earlier. Common with police, lost-property, and sales contexts.
answering — noun
1. something spoken, written, or done back to another person after a question, requ
something spoken, written, or done back to another person after a question, request, or message.
Imani waited two days for an answer to her job application.
an answer to + request/message
The customer was unhappy because the company gave no answer.
Yan sent a polite answer to the invitation that evening.
A smile was her only answer when the children thanked her.
- silence
a complete lack of reply
文法句型
an answer to + noun
give an answer
用法筆記
The reply can be words, writing, or an action. Common after questions, letters, applications, and invitations.
2. the correct response to a question, quiz, or test problem.
the correct response to a question, quiz, or test problem.
Eitan knew the answer before anyone else raised a hand.
know the answer
The math answer on line three was wrong by one digit.
The host read out the answer after the quiz round ended.
Every student checked the answer at the back of the book.
文法句型
the answer to + question
know the answer
用法筆記
This sense is about correctness, especially in schoolwork, quizzes, and puzzles. Distinguish from noun/1, which can be any reply, even if it is wrong.
3. a way of solving a problem or dealing successfully with a difficulty.
a way of solving a problem or dealing successfully with a difficulty.
Indra found an answer to the parking problem near the station.
the answer to + problem
More sleep is not always the answer to constant stress.
The team tested three ideas before choosing the best answer.
Better street lighting may be part of the answer for this area.
- problem
the difficulty that needs solving
文法句型
the answer to + problem
find an answer
用法筆記
Common in discussions of practical or social problems. It often refers to one possible solution rather than the only correct one.