① answer為常用語(yǔ),指用書面、口頭或行動(dòng)來(lái)對(duì)他人的詢問(wèn)、請(qǐng)求、指責(zé)或質(zhì)問(wèn)等作出回答或反應(yīng)。
Who can answer the question?誰(shuí)能回答這個(gè)問(wèn)題?
You should answer her letter right away. 你應(yīng)該馬上給她回信。
② reply為書面用語(yǔ),指經(jīng)過(guò)考慮的較正式的答復(fù)。除了后面接直接引語(yǔ)或that引導(dǎo)的名詞從句外,一般用作不及物動(dòng)詞,常與to搭配,強(qiáng)調(diào)對(duì)問(wèn)題內(nèi)容的詳細(xì)答復(fù)。而answer則強(qiáng)調(diào)回答的動(dòng)作,表示一般的應(yīng)答時(shí),只能用answer,如:answer the telephone(接電話),answer the door(應(yīng)聲開門)等,不可用reply。
She did not reply to his letter. 她沒(méi)有給他回信。
He replied that he might go. 他回話說(shuō)他可能去。
③ respond側(cè)重于在接到對(duì)方問(wèn)題、要求或表態(tài)后以行動(dòng)而不是以言語(yǔ)作出反應(yīng),作不及物動(dòng)詞用時(shí)后接to。
She kindly responded to my question. 她很客氣地回答了我的問(wèn)題。
The girl responded with a smile. 那女孩微笑著作答。
They responded by going on a strike. 他們以罷工來(lái)作出反應(yīng)。