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Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language and can often be challenging for non-native speakers to grasp. One noteworthy group involves phrasal verbs with the word “answer.” These can vary in meaning, such as responding to a question or taking responsibility for an action.
This reference will cover different phrasal verbs with “answer,” their meanings, and examples to illustrate proper usage. Understanding these phrasal verbs will enhance your English skills significantly.
Phrasal Verbs with Answer
Answer Back
Answer back
- Meaning: To respond rudely or disrespectfully to someone in a conversation, often by talking back or replying impertinently.
- Example: When the teacher scolded him for not doing his homework, the student answered back and said it wasn’t his fault.
Answer back
- Meaning: Reply to a question at a later time
- Example: I don’t know the answer to your question right now, but I will answer back as soon as I find out.
Answer back
- Meaning: To respond in a defensive or argumentative manner when criticized or reprimanded. This refers to the act of not accepting criticism or feedback and instead attempting to justify or defend oneself.
- Example: He always answers back when his boss gives him feedback on his work.
Answer For
Answer for
- Meaning: To take responsibility for or be accountable for something, especially when it involves taking the blame
- Example: The manager will have to answer for the mistakes made by their team.
Answer for
- Meaning: Guarantee
- Example: The company’s reputation for quality products answers for the high price.
Answer for
- Meaning: To provide evidence or testimony about someone’s character or actions.
- Example: I can answer for the integrity and honesty of my colleague.
Answer To
Answer to
- Meaning: to be accountable or responsible to someone, often in a hierarchical or organizational structure
- Example: The teacher answers to the principal for the classroom management and student progress.
Answer to
- Meaning: To explain one’s actions to someone
- Example: The student needs to answer to the teacher for their incomplete assignment.
Answer to
- Meaning: To go by a certain name and respond to it, or to acknowledge a specific name as one’s own
- Example: The dog answers to the name “Buddy.”
Answer to
- Meaning: To meet the criteria or standards outlined in that description.
- Example: The car answers to the description in the advertisement, it’s a perfect fit.
Common Usage Examples In Literature
Here are a few examples of phrasal verbs with “answer” in literature:
- “He answered back, with great spirit, that he had never been so insulted in his life.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice In this quote, “answered back” means to respond in a defensive or argumentative manner, as the character is offended by an insult.
- “I answered him with a few flights of fancy of my own.” – Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days In this quote, “answered” is used with the preposition “with” to mean to respond in a certain way, in this case with imaginative ideas.
- “The door opened, and the man answered to the name of Mr. Hyde.” – Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde In this quote, “answered” is used to mean to respond to a call or summons, as the man responds to the name of Mr. Hyde.
- “I answered him with a wordless gesture.” – Lois Lowry, The Giver In this quote, “answered” is used with the object pronoun “him” to mean to respond to someone, in this case with a gesture instead of words.
Interactive Exercise
Instructions: Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence
- I don’t like it when you __________ me. It’s disrespectful.
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
- As the manager, you will have to __________ the mistakes your team makes.
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
- The employee must __________ the supervisor if they want to take a day off.
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
- She had to __________ her parents after getting caught sneaking out.
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
- He always __________ his boss’s requests promptly.
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
Answers:
- Answer back
- Answer for
- Answer to
- Answer to
- Answers to
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