"in answer to"是一个介词短语,核心含义为:作为对……的回答/回应;响应……;为了回应对……的询问/请求。
它强调“动作是针对某一问题、请求或呼唤而做出的”,突出“因果关联”——即后面的内容是前面动作的触发原因。
"in answer to"后接名词、代词或宾语从句,整体在句中作状语(修饰谓语动词,说明动作的原因或目的)。
常见搭配:
in answer to + a question/letter/email/request/call(回答问题/信件/邮件/请求/呼唤)
以下是不同语境下的用法说明:
回答问题/询问:
He smiled and nodded in answer to my question about his health.
(针对我关于他健康的问题,他微笑着点了点头。)
In answer to what you asked yesterday, the meeting is at 2 PM.
(回答你昨天的问题:会议在下午2点。)
响应请求/需求:
We sent the replacement parts in answer to your complaint.
(为了回应你的投诉,我们寄了替换零件。)
In answer to public demand, the museum extended its opening hours.
(响应公众需求,博物馆延长了开放时间。)
回应呼唤/信号:
She turned around in answer to someone calling her name.
(听到有人叫她名字,她转过身来。)
The dog ran to the door in answer to the bell.
(听到门铃响,狗跑到门口。)
"in answer to"可放在句首(强调回应的对象)或句中(自然衔接动作与原因):
句首:In answer to your invitation, I’m pleased to accept.
(回应你的邀请,我很乐意接受。)
句中:I’m writing this email in answer to your inquiry about our products.
(我写这封邮件是为了回应你对我们产品的咨询。)
"in answer to"和"in response to"几乎可以互换,都表示“响应……”,但:
"in answer to"更侧重“回答具体的问题/询问”(如question, letter);
"in response to"更通用,可指“对任何刺激的回应”(如event, demand, problem)。
"in answer to"的关键是“针对某一触发点做出回应”,使用时只需明确“回应的对象”(名词/从句),再将其连接到具体动作即可。
记住:它是介词短语,不能单独作谓语,需配合动词使用!