① answer for通常表示兩種含義。
(1)表示"對......負責(zé),擔(dān)保",相當(dāng)于be responsible for。
We can't answer for her actions. 我們不能對她的行為負責(zé)。
I can't answer for his experience,but I can answer for his honesty. 我不能擔(dān)保他有經(jīng)驗,但我能擔(dān)保他誠實。
(2)表示"為......吃苦頭,受報應(yīng)",相當(dāng)于suffer as a result of。
You will answer for your carelessness some day. 總有一天你會為粗心大意而吃苦頭的。
He will have to answer for his crime. 他會因其罪行而受懲罰的。
② answer to通常表示"和......一致,對......作出響應(yīng)"。
His action does not answer to his words. 他做的和說的不一樣。
She answered to her mother's call by coming downstairs. 她聽到母親的喊聲就下樓了。
③ answer to還可表示"對......負責(zé)",這時它可以同answer for換用。
You'll have to answer to me if any harm comes to this child. 如果這孩子受到任何傷害,你得對我負責(zé)。
"in answer to+名詞"為慣用短語,意為"響應(yīng),回答",在句中作狀語。
She came in answer to the telephone call. 她接到電話就來了。
In answer to her shouts,people ran to help. 聽到她的呼叫聲,人們就跑去救她。