answering
v.v. to say or write something back to someone who has asked you a question. You also do this when you pick up a phone that is ringing.
v. to respond to a question, request, or signal in oral or written form. Transitive when followed by a direct object; intransitive when used to describe the general action of responding.
She is answering the phone in the other room.
The candidate spent the entire afternoon answering emails from concerned voters regarding the new tax policy.
By answering the difficult questions with such poise, the spokesperson managed to de-escalate the tension before the press conference concluded.
From Middle English answerynge; equivalent to answer + -ing.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, or intransitive. It does not require the preposition 'to' before the person or thing being addressed.
answering to the questionanswering the questionThe verb 'answer' is transitive and takes the object directly; learners often incorrectly insert the preposition 'to'.