What Does “Answer to sth” Mean?
“Answer to sth” means to be responsible for something or to provide a response or explanation related to a particular matter.
Introduction
The phrase “answer to sth” is commonly used in English to indicate responsibility or accountability for something. It can also mean providing a reply or explanation in response to a question or situation. Understanding the “answer to sth meaning” helps learners use this phrase correctly in both formal and informal contexts. Whether you want to talk about who is responsible for a task or how to respond to a problem, this phrase is very useful. In this article, you will learn how to use “answer to sth” naturally, see examples, and avoid common mistakes.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: answer to something
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: Be responsible for or respond to something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Answer to sth” is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not take a direct object immediately after it. Instead, it is followed by a preposition “to” and then the object (something).
Pattern: answer + to + something
Example: She has to answer to the manager for her decisions.
It is not separable, so you cannot insert words between “answer” and “to.”
How to Use “Answer to sth”?
Use “answer to sth” when you want to express that someone is responsible or accountable for something. It is often used in work, school, or official situations. You can also use it when referring to giving a reply or explanation about a particular issue.
Examples of contexts:
- Employees answer to their supervisors.
- Students answer to their teachers for their behavior.
- People answer to the law or regulations.
Examples
- Every employee must answer to the CEO for their work.
- As a student, you answer to your teacher during class.
- The committee will answer to the board of directors next week.
- He could not answer to the accusations made against him.
- She answers to her clients directly when there is a problem.
These examples show “answer to sth” in different situations, highlighting responsibility and response.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She answers the manager for her work.
Correct: She answers to the manager for her work. - Incorrect: They answer their parents for their actions.
Correct: They answer to their parents for their actions. - Incorrect: You answer to me the question.
Correct: You answer the question. (Here, “answer” is used without “to” because it directly means “reply.”)
Differences / Synonyms
- Answer to vs. Reply to: “Answer to” often implies responsibility, while “reply to” focuses on giving a response.
- Answer to vs. Report to: “Report to” means to regularly inform a superior, while “answer to” means being accountable.
- Answer to vs. Respond to: “Respond to” is broader and can include actions or reactions, not only verbal answers.
Common Collocations
- Answer to a question
- Answer to a complaint
- Answer to a boss/manager
- Answer to the law
- Answer to the public
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of answer to sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Who do you answer to at work?
Tom: I answer to the project manager. She checks all my reports.
Anna: That sounds like a lot of responsibility.
Tom: Yes, but it helps me stay focused and organized.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) I answer the director for my tasks.
- b) I answer to the director for my tasks.
- c) I answer at the director for my tasks.
Answer: b) I answer to the director for my tasks.
FAQs
- Q: Can “answer to sth” mean just to reply?
A: It can mean to reply, but it usually means being responsible for something. - Q: Is “answer to sth” separable?
A: No, you cannot separate “answer” and “to.” - Q: Can I say “answer the question” and “answer to the question”?
A: Use “answer the question” when replying. “Answer to the question” is incorrect. - Q: What is the difference between “answer to” and “report to”?
A: “Answer to” means being responsible; “report to” means regularly informing a superior. - Q: Is “answer to sth” formal or informal?
A: It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
