account for 解释，说明；是……的原因；弄清……的下落；占（一定数量或比例）

How can you account for the accident? 你如何解释这个事故？

I want you to account for every cent you spent. 我要你说明你所花的每一分钱的用途。

Recent pressure at work may account for his behavior. 他的行为也许是最近的工作压力导致的。

One small child was still not accounted for. 还有一个小孩下落不明。

Afro-Americans account for 12% of the US population. 非洲裔美国人占美国人口的12%。

act for 代理

Please act for me during my absence. 我不在时请代理我处理事务。

I acted for our captain while he was in hospital. 我们队长住院时由我代理他。

allow for 考虑到，把……考虑进来；体谅

We should allow for every possible delay. 我们应该考虑到任何可能的延误。

We must allow for his youth. 我们必须体谅他的年轻。

answer for 对……负责，对……承担责任；保证；代表

I will answer for it (him). 我愿对它（他）负责。

One day you’ll have to answer for what you’ve done. 有一天你得对你今天的所作所为承担责任。

I agree but I can’t answer for my friends. 我同意，但我不能代表我的朋友也同意。

【注】该短语通常用于将来时态或含有情态动词的句子，其后可接名词或代词，一般不接 that 从句，若要接that从句，则应先接形式宾语 it。如：

I can’t answer for his honesty.＝I can’t answer for it that he is honest. 我不能保证他是诚实的。

apologize for 为……而道歉

He apologized for not being able to meet her. 他因为未能去接她而向她道歉。

I must apologize for the delay in replying to your letter. 未能及时给你回信，我得向你道歉。

apply for申请（请求）得到

He applied for a job as an English teacher. 他申请得到一份当英语教师的工作。

They applied to the government for financial help. 他们向政府申请经济援助。

blame … for 埋怨，责怪

Movies have been blamed for the crime wave. 电影已被指责要对犯罪率上升负责。

The conductor is blamed for the accident. 售票员因那次事故而受到指责。

call for 大声呼叫；去接（某人）

The baby is calling for his mother. 婴孩叫着要母亲。

I’ll call for you at six o’clock. 6点时我将去接你。

care for 关心；想要

He always cares for my health. 他一直关心我的健康。

Would you care for some tea? 想喝点茶吗？