“answer to”是一个常用的英语短语,核心含义围绕“回应、对应或负责”展开,具体义项和用法需结合语境判断,以下是最常见的三种解释及示例:
强调“向某人汇报、对某人的要求或权威负责”,通常后接人(sb.)作宾语。
结构:`answer to sb.`
示例:
As a team leader, you answer to the project manager.(作为团队 leader,你要向项目经理负责。)
All staff answer to the CEO in this company.(这家公司所有员工都受 CEO 管辖。)
表示“与描述、标准或期望相匹配”,后接事物(sth.,如 description, standard 等)作宾语。
结构:`answer to sth.`
示例:
Does this product answer to the safety standards?(这个产品符合安全标准吗?)
The suspect answers to the witness’s description of the robber.(嫌疑人符合目击者对劫匪的描述。)
特指“动物或人对自己的名字/呼唤作出反应”,常见搭配为`answer to the name of...`(叫…名字)。
结构:`answer to the name of sb./sth.` / `answer to a call`
示例:
Our cat answers to the name of “Milo”.(我们的猫叫“Milo”,喊它会回应。)
The dog didn’t answer to my call—maybe it’s asleep.(狗没回应我的呼唤,可能睡着了。)
容易混淆的两个短语,核心差异在于“对象”:
`answer to sb.`:对人负责(侧重“汇报/服从”);
`answer for sth./sb.`:为事/人负责(侧重“承担后果”)。
示例:
He answers to his boss.(他向老板负责。)
He will answer for his reckless behavior.(他要为自己的鲁莽行为负责。)
answer to sb.(对某人负责)
answer to a description/standard(符合描述/标准)
answer to the name of...(叫…名字)
answer to a call(回应呼唤)
通过以上分类,“answer to”的用法就比较清晰啦~ 关键是结合语境判断“回应的对象”是“人、标准”还是“名字/呼唤”。