英文回答的各種說法：從 answer 到 retort，一次學會各種情境的表達

前一篇我們學習了各種不同的問，現在我們接著來學相對應的「各種不同回答」的說法

單純泛指回答

answer (n.) tips:對某問題的解答介系詞固定用「to」

I asked him what time the meeting started, and his answer was 'three o'clock.'

The answer to the economic crisis is not simple; it requires a multifaceted (多面向的，複雜的，意近complex) approach.

Her answer to my concerns was vague(模糊的) and unhelpful.

和answer常見連用的搭配動詞collocations

• Give/Provide/Offer an answer （最常用的，語氣中立，可用於口語或寫作）
• Deliver an answer:（語氣較強，多用於重要的語境，如會議、簡報等，提出的答案影響層面廣大）The CEO delivered a strong answer to the shareholders'（股東） concerns.
• Issue an answer：（語氣較強，多用於政府官方、正式的語境，提出的答案多攸關公眾）The government issued an answer to the allegations（指控）.
• Present an answer:（語氣較強，多用於重要的語境，跟deliver的使用情境很相近，提出的答案多有詳細精密的證據支持） The scientist presented a compelling（有力的） answer based on their research.

answer (v.)

• Answer directly(直接地)/clearly(清楚地)/briefly(扼要地）/honestly（如實地）/vaguely（模糊地）/evasively（閃躲地）/politely（有禮地）/rudely（無禮地）:She answered directly, without hesitation（猶豫）.
• Answer with a smile/nod（點頭）/gesture（手勢）：He answered with a nod, indicating（暗示） agreement.
• Answer in writing（書面回答）/orally（口頭回答）: These specify the medium of the answer. The students were required（被要求） to answer in writing.

近意字: respond to(v.phrase)

He responded to the interviewer's question with a detailed explanation 

He responded to my email a week later.

可以被回答的名詞有哪些？

• Answer a question/query/inquiry(問題): He answered the reporter's question about the budget cuts（預算刪減）.
• Answer an accusation(指控)/allegation(抹黑)/criticism(批評):  The company answered the accusations of unfair labor practices.
• Answer a call/door/phone: She answered the phone and heard her mother's voice.
• Answer the challenge/need/demand: 這邊的answer是回應需求挑戰的意思喔 The new policy aims（旨在） to answer the growing demand for affordable（可負擔的） housing.

形容答案的詞彙簡略舉例如下

direct/reluctant（不甘願的）/detailed/formal/polite/prompt(即時的)/timely(及時的)/delayed+ response/answer/reply

回嘴、頂嘴

• Answer back (to someone): The child answered back to his mother, causing her to get angry.
• Retort:She retorted angrily, 'That's none of your business!' when he pried(打探，原形pry) into her personal life.

書面答覆

• reply：I replied to her letter/email/message as soon as I received it
• write back: I'd love to hear (這裡的hear是收信而不是聽到的意思喔) your thoughts on this, so please write backwhen you have a moment.