Snap Language

You answer a question or you answer someone. You can also answer the phone when it rings and answer the door when someone knocks.

You answer for something you did. That means you take responsibility for what you did.

You also answer to someone when you must explain your actions. At work, you usually answer to your boss.

Examples: answer

• Excuse me. My phone is ringing. I need to answer it.
• I don’t know how to answer this question. Can you help me?
• Your mother asked you a question. Aren’t you going to answer her.

Examples: answer for

Examples: answer to

• Politicians must answer to voters for their actions.
• Mary answers to a very difficult boss.
• Why should I explain myself to him? I don’t answer to him.

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Put an end to something. The word “end” is a noun here, but this expression is similar to just using “end” as a verb.

Examples: end

• My class starts at 7:00 and ends at 9:30.
• People thought the world would end in 2012 but, of course, that never happened.

Examples: end in

Examples: end with

People and things interest you. That means you want to learn and know about them.

You can also interest people in someone or something. That means you make people want to do or have something.

Examples: interest

• Politics doesn’t interest me.
• I’m sure this movie will interest you. It’s about football, your favorite sport.

Examples: interest (someone) in (something)

• May I interest you in a cup of coffee?
• The teacher tried to interest his students in learning more.
• The salesman showed us the new computer hoping to interest me in buying it.

When you point, you use your finger or an object to show someone where to look.

You point at people or things.

You can also point to people or things. That means you show the direction.

To point to something can also mean that you have information that makes you think in a certain way. For example, you say that the information you have points to a certain conclusion.

Examples: point at

• The child pointed at the toy he wanted.
• Don’t point at me! I didn’t do it!
• In some cultures, it is rude to point your finger at people.

Examples: point to

When you provide something, you make it available so other people can have it or use it.

You can also provide someone with what they want or need. You give it to them.

Examples: provide

• This website provides all the information you need.
• This school provides courses in many languages.
• This bank provides good services.

Examples: provide with

When you steal something, you take it without permission in an illegal way.

You steal things from people or institutions.

Examples: steal / steal from

• He stole a lot of money.
  He stole a lot of money from his company.
• The thief stole a smartphone.
  The thief stole a smartphone from the woman.
• The little boy stole his brother’s candy.
  The little boy stole candy from his brother.