answering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "answering" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a present participle form of the verb answer, which has been conjugated correctly. You can use this word as part of a verb phrase, as in the example sentence: "He was answering questions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

[He was answering a question, says one of the questioners].

The Guardian - Sport

Yes or no?" Miliband was so dazed he didn't even realise it wasn't supposed to be him answering the questions.

The Guardian

Rodgers, answering questions before Liverpool's game in Norway, responded to more queries about Suárez by insisting the club's position had not changed.

The Guardian - Sport

The Liberal Democrats are game for a coalition with anyone, but nobody's answering their calls.

The Guardian

It might be that the person shows discomfort from the answering questions [under cross examination] but it might be discomfort from their face being shown.

The Guardian

Or capable of answering a straight question at all? 14.

The Guardian - Opinion

Members of staff were still answering phones at the dealership at about 5.30pm.

The Guardian

"How can I say anything bad about heroin?" she says, not quite answering the question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Teaching students that "it's fine not to get everything right", the scheme includes tests that get progressively harder within a time limit, preventing pupils from answering all of the questions.

The Guardian

Jarecki and Smerling have since stopped answering questions about this.

The Guardian

But Labor cannot avoid answering them even though it will be painful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answering" to describe an ongoing action of responding to questions or inquiries, especially in journalistic or formal contexts. For example, "The politician was "answering" questions about the new policy."

Common error

Avoid using "answering" when a simple noun form, "answer", is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "Answering the question was difficult", consider "The answer to the question was difficult."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "answering" is that of a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses or act as a gerund or participle adjective. Ludwig shows it mainly in contexts related to responding to questions or inquiries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "answering" functions as a present participle, indicating the ongoing act of providing a response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and very common usage, particularly within news and media contexts. While alternatives like "replying to" or "responding to" exist, "answering" maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communicative purposes. Remember to use "answering" to describe an ongoing action and avoid confusing it with the noun form "answer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replying to

Focuses specifically on the act of responding in a conversational context.

responding to

Highlights the reactive nature of providing an answer or dealing with something.

addressing

Implies a more formal or direct approach to dealing with an issue or question.

rebutting

Suggests a direct contradiction or refutation in the response.

countering

Indicates opposing a viewpoint or argument with a response.

clarifying

Emphasizes making something clearer through the response.

elucidating

Implies shedding light or making something more understandable in the response.

expounding on

Suggests a detailed explanation or expansion of a topic in the response.

reacting to

Focuses on the immediate response or action taken upon receiving information.

acknowledging

Highlights the act of recognizing or admitting something in the response.

FAQs

How can I use "answering" in a sentence?

"Answering" is the present participle of the verb "answer". It can be used to describe an ongoing action, such as "She is "answering" the phone" or as part of a more complex verb phrase, such as "He was "answering" questions at the press conference".

What are some alternatives to using "answering"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "replying to", "responding to", or "addressing".

Is it correct to say "answering to" or "answering for"?

Both "answering to" and "answering for" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Answering to" implies being accountable to someone, while "answering for" means taking responsibility for something.

What's the difference between "answering" and "response"?

"Answering" is a verb form describing the act of giving a response, while "response" is a noun referring to the answer itself. For example, "He is "answering" the email" versus "His response was helpful".