answer for vs answer to

Both 'answer for' and 'answer to' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Answer for' is used when taking responsibility or explaining something, while 'answer to' is used when referring to who someone is accountable to.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 2822 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"answer for"

It is used when someone is taking responsibility for something or explaining their actions.

Examples:

He had to answer for his mistakes during the meeting.
She will have to answer for her behavior at school.
Who will answer for the damages caused by the accident?

Show examples from the web [+]

Fig. to explain or justify the actions of someone or some act; to take responsibility or blame for someone or something. You will have to answer for your children's ...
27 Ene 2016 ... to be responsible for something bad, or to be punished for something: I expect parents to answer for their children's behaviour.
can't answer for someone used for emphasizing that you cannot say what ... have a lot to answer for to be responsible for a lot of bad things that have happened.
1 (=take responsibility for) [+actions] responder de. I'll not answer for the consequences no respondo de las consecuencias, no me responsabilizo de las ...

Alternatives:

take responsibility for
be accountable for
explain
justify

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"answer to"

It is used to indicate who someone is accountable to or who they report to.

Examples:

She answers to the CEO of the company.
The manager has to answer to the board of directors.
Employees must answer to their supervisors.

Show examples from the web [+]

The meaning of ANSWER TO (SOMETHING) is to be the same as or match (something). How to use answer to (something) in a sentence.
Possible answer to “Why do you want to work at this company?” “I saw on The Muse that you were also hiring for new positions on the West Coast to support your ...
In answer to the Petition for Divorce, the Respondent says the following: 1. The Respondent admits irreconcilable differences exist between the Petitioner and ...

Alternatives:

be accountable to
report to
be responsible to

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answer for vs answer to

"answer for"

"answer to"

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