53　answer for和answer to

① answer for通常表示两种含义。

(1)表示"对......负责，担保"，相当于be responsible for。

We can't answer for her actions. 我们不能对她的行为负责。

I can't answer for his experience，but I can answer for his honesty. 我不能担保他有经验，但我能担保他诚实。

(2)表示"为......吃苦头，受报应"，相当于suffer as a result of。

You will answer for your carelessness some day. 总有一天你会为粗心大意而吃苦头的。

He will have to answer for his crime. 他会因其罪行而受惩罚的。

② answer to通常表示"和......一致，对......作出响应"。

His action does not answer to his words. 他做的和说的不一样。

She answered to her mother's call by coming downstairs. 她听到母亲的喊声就下楼了。

③ answer to还可表示"对......负责"，这时它可以同answer for换用。

You'll have to answer to me if any harm comes to this child. 如果这孩子受到任何伤害，你得对我负责。

提示

"in answer to+名词"为惯用短语，意为"响应，回答"，在句中作状语。

She came in answer to the telephone call. 她接到电话就来了。

In answer to her shouts，people ran to help. 听到她的呼叫声，人们就跑去救她。