What are the definitions of “answer for”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Be held responsible for a problem.
The government should be made to ANSWER FOR their failure to sort out the problem.
- 2Speak on behalf of someone or from knowing them.
I can ANSWER FOR my partner because I know her position on this issue.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “answer for”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb answer for is to be held responsible for a problem or situation. It means that someone should explain their actions or decisions, especially when they have caused a problem or made a mistake.
What are the different verb forms of “answer for”?
| Root Verb | answer for |
| Third Person Singular Present | answers for |
| Present Participle | answering for |
| Simple Past | answered for |
| Past Participle | answered for |
Example
The manager must answer for the team's poor performance.
Example
He answers for the mistakes made by his employees.
Example
She is answering for her actions in the meeting.
Example
They answered for their decisions during the project review.
Example
The company has answered for its environmental impact.
What kind of phrasal verb is “answer for”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“answer for” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The CEO must answer for the company's financial losses.
Example
She answered for her friend's absence at the event.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“answer for” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The CEO must answer for the company's financial losses.
Example
She answered for her friend's absence at the event.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “answer for”?
Good things to know
Does “answer for” have an informal or formal tone?
Answer for is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings, legal discussions, or academic debates.
