The verbs ‘отвечать’ and ‘ответить’ are among the first to be learned by every student. Nevertheless it’s good to remember that their meaning may differ depending on the following preposition.
Отвечать / ответить на + Acc. = To answer smth (e.g. a question), to respond to smth (e.g. a request)
Отвечать / ответить за + Acc. = To be responsible for smth (e.g. a project); to answer for smth (e.g. words, actions)
Compare the following examples.
Министерство долго не отвечало на запрос журналистов. = The ministry did not respond to the request of journalists for a long time.
Ты не ответил на мой вопрос. = You didn’t answer my question
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Free and effective!В нашей компании он отвечает за социальные сети. = In our company, he is responsible for social networks.
Они ещё пожалеют и ответят за свои слова. = They will regret and answer for their words.
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