answering
Translation
answering, responding
Examples
He is answering the phone.
He is answering the phone.
Answering all the emails takes time.
Answering all the emails takes time.
Grammar Patterns
be answering ((sth.)) to be in the process of responding to (sth.) He is answering the question.
answering ((sth.)) the act of responding to (sth.) Answering the question was hard.
Similar Words
Synonyms: replying, responding
Etymology
The present participle/gerund of 'answer', from Old English 'andswarian' (and- 'against' + swerian 'to swear').
Memory Tips
The '-ing' ending signifies an ongoing action ('He is answering') or the action as a noun ('Answering is hard').