answer to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answer to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is responding or providing a reply to a person, often in a context of authority or hierarchy. Example: "In the meeting, I had to answer to him regarding the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Of her part as a creatively cast angel, Ms. Uggams said, "I'm just Jordan, the straight man ghost, and I answer to Him, I mean, Her".

The New York Times

Notionally, the Qassam brigades answer to him.

The Economist

Trump has an easy answer: to him.

The New Yorker

Plus, the armed forces answer to him.

The New York Times

"And he wants to be Napoli's answer to him".

Independent

You will answer to him and not me".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Yanukovych constructed a corrupt machine that answered to him and his two sons, a network known as the Family.

The New Yorker

The newly created power authority answers to him directly, not to regulators, and the new energy tsar insists that the authority is not temporary.

The Economist

Defoe specialises in asking questions defenders cannot answer and, sure enough, Hull's had no answers to him in the 34th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

"He had complete control and everyone was answering to him and him alone," Friedenthal said of Haskins, who accepted a $1.5 million buyout months after Gangelhoff came forward.

The New York Times - Sports

The former governor was appointed by Bishop Wilton J. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, last June and answers to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answer to him" to clearly indicate a hierarchical relationship or a situation where someone is obligated to provide explanations or justifications to a specific person.

Common error

Avoid using "answer to him" when a general response or solution is meant. For example, don't say "This is the answer to him" when you mean "This is the solution to the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answer to him" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating accountability or obligation to provide explanations or justifications to a specific individual. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "answer to him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that denotes accountability, responsibility, and the obligation to provide explanations or justifications to a specific person, typically one in authority. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While several alternatives exist, such as "report to him" or "be accountable to him", "answer to him" effectively conveys a direct hierarchical relationship. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with a situation where a clear line of accountability exists and avoid confusing it with general solutions or responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond to him

Emphasizes the act of replying or reacting to someone.

reply to him

Focuses on providing a verbal or written response.

be answerable to him

Similar to accountable, but emphasizes the ability to be questioned.

be accountable to him

Highlights the responsibility and obligation to answer for one's actions.

be responsible to him

Stresses the duty and obligation towards someone.

report to him

Indicates a formal reporting structure or hierarchical relationship.

be under his authority

Implies a position of subordination or dependence.

take direction from him

Focuses on receiving guidance and instructions.

be subject to his decisions

Highlights the power of one person's decisions over another.

owe him an explanation

Indicates a need to justify actions or provide reasons.

FAQs

What does "answer to him" mean?

The phrase "answer to him" means to be accountable to someone, to provide explanations or justifications for one's actions or decisions to a specific person, often in a position of authority.

How can I use "answer to him" in a sentence?

You can use "answer to him" to indicate a direct reporting relationship or obligation. For example, "The department heads all "report to him", and must "be accountable to him" for their teams' performance".

What are some alternatives to "answer to him"?

Alternatives include "respond to him", "reply to him", "report to him", or "be accountable to him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "answerable to him" the same as "answer to him"?

Yes, "answerable to him" is very similar in meaning to "answer to him". Both phrases imply an obligation to explain or justify one's actions to someone in authority. The subtle difference is that "answerable" emphasizes the ability to be questioned.