to answer
Third Person
answers
Present Participle
answering
Past Tense
answered
Past Participle
answered
1
to say, write, or take action in response to a question or situation
transitive
- The job interviewee confidently answered all the questions posed by the interviewer.
- The expert was invited to the conference to answer queries about the new research findings.
- He took a moment to answer the email, providing detailed information about the project.
- Please answer the email as soon as possible.
2
to provide an accurate and satisfactory response to a problem
transitive
- He answered the riddle with ease, showing his quick wit.
- She answered the math problem correctly, demonstrating a strong understanding of the concept.
- The detective answered the mystery by unraveling the clues and identifying the culprit.
- She answered the trivia question correctly, winning a prize for her knowledge.
- The technician answered the technical problem with a simple yet effective solution.
3
to respond to a stimulus by taking appropriate action
transitive
- She answered the phone on the first ring, eager to hear from her friend.
- He quickly answered the door, expecting a delivery.
- The receptionist answered the intercom immediately upon hearing it buzz.
- She answered the knock on her office door, inviting the visitor inside.
4
to provide a response or justification to counter an accusation or criticisms
transitive
- The defendant answered the charges in court, pleading not guilty to the allegations.
- The politician answered the allegations of corruption by denying any wrongdoing.
- The athlete answered the doping allegations by submitting to rigorous drug testing, which came back negative.
- The student answered the teacher's accusations of cheating by providing explanations for their actions.
- He answered the accusations of fraud by presenting evidence of his innocence.
5
to meet a demand or expectation
transitive
- The new software program is designed to answer the company's need for improved efficiency.
- A warm cup of tea can often answer one's need for comfort during difficult times.
- The technology answers the consumer's desire for convenience and efficiency.
- The new product design answers the company's requirements for innovation.
- His proposal answered the client's demands for cost-effectiveness.
6
to correspond with or to be consistent with something
transitive
- His account of the events didn't quite answer the witness's testimony.
- The suspect's fingerprints answered those found at the crime scene.
- Her actions answered her words, demonstrating sincerity and integrity.
- The final report answered the initial objectives set out by the research team.
- The new data answered the predictions made by the scientific model.
7
be liable or accountable
- As the team leader, he answered for the project's success or failure.
- The CEO had to answer for the company's financial losses during the shareholder meeting.
- She was prepared to answer for her decision to resign from her position.
- The defendant had to answer for his actions in front of the judge and jury.
- The parents had to answer for their child's behavior at the school meeting.
8
to be adequate or sufficient for fulfilling a particular function
- A platform of wooden crates answered for a performance space in the impromptu theater.
- Online resources and supplementary materials answered for educational materials in the classroom.
- His briefcase, though worn and battered, answered for a desk as he worked on the project in the field.
- The large cardboard box answered for a table during the garage sale, displaying various items for sale.
- The public park answered for a venue for the community concert, with picnic blankets serving as seating.