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Verbs 动词

• Answer and reply are the most common verbs used for speaking or writing as a reaction to a question, letter, etc. * answer 和 reply 为口语或书面语中表示回答问题、复信等最通用的动词。
• Note that you answer a person, question or letter, not answer to them, but you reply to somebody or something. 表示回答或回复时，answer 后不用 to，宾语可以是人，也可以是问题或信，而 reply 后要用 to：◆I'm writing to answer your questions. 特此函复贵方提问。◆I'm writing to reply to your questions. 特此函复贵方提问。◆I'm writing to answer to your questions.
• Answer can be used with or without an object. * answer 既可带宾语，也可不带宾语：◆I haven't answered her email yet. 我还没有回复她的电邮。◆I knocked on the door but nobody answered. 我敲了门，但无人应答。 Reply is often used with the actual words spoken. * reply 常带直接引语：◆'I won't let you down,' he replied. “我不会让你失望的。” 他回答说。
• Respond is less common and more formal. * respond 较少用，且较正式：◆The directors were unwilling to respond to questions. 董事们不愿意回答问题。
• You can only answer a door or a phone. 应门或接电话只能用 answer。

Nouns 名词

• Note the phrases in answer to and in reply to. 注意 in answer to 和 in reply to 的用法：◆I'm writing in answer to your letter. 特此函复。