English · Common Verbs
answering
/ˈɑːnsərɪŋ/
[/ˈɑːnsərɪŋ/]
present participle of answer
Beginnerverb
Definition
Present participle of 'answer': showing that someone is replying to a question now.
Example
He is answering emails all morning and has not even had time to drink his coffee.
He is answering emails all morning and has not even had time to drink his coffee.
Etymology
From Old English 'andswaru', with the '-ing' ending forming the present participle.
How & Where It’s Used
Used with forms of 'be' for continuous tenses; 'answering machine' uses it as a modifier.