Why

We can usewhyto ask about reasons and explanations:

Whydid he leave home when he was 16?

Whydidn’t you tell Gemma?

Whyis the Earth round?

We can usewhyin indirect questions:

He asked mewhyI wanted to leave the job.

I wonderwhyhe told nobody he was getting married.

We can usewhyon its own as a response:

A:

I’m going home now.

B:

Why?

When we reply to a negative statement, we usually saywhy not?:

A:

I don’t like it here.

B:

Why not?

When we ask for reasons in speaking, we can use the phrasewhy is that?In informal conversations we often saywhy’s that?:

A:

Look, the moth is attracted to the light.

B:

Why is that?

A:

I’m not sure.

A:

She’s not going to college this year.

B:

Why’s that?

A:

She says she wants to travel for a while.

We can usewhy everorwhy on earthto add emphasis and to show shock or surprise. We usually stresseverandearth:

A:

Beth has decided to go on holiday by herself this year.

B:

Whyeverwould anyone want to go on holiday alone?

Why onearthhas Julie bought me this expensive present?

In informal contexts we sometimes usewhat for?with the same meaning of asking for a reason:

A:

Ann’s going to be really upset with me.

B:

What for?

A:

I forgot to call her back last night.

We often use the phrasethat’s whyto give a reason:

A:

Frank and Ellen have three children now.

B:

That’s whythey moved house. They needed more space.

A:

Ian’s not been feeling well recently, has he?

B:

No.That’s whyhe’s taken some time off.

When we are annoyed about something, we sometimes use the phrasewhy should:

Why shouldtaxpayers have to pay more because the government has not managed its spending properly?

Why shouldold people have to worry about health insurance?

Why should I?as a response is very direct and rude:

[A is a mother and B is a child who is opening and closing the car window]

A:

Stop doing that.

B:

Why should I?

We usewhy don’tandwhy notto make suggestions:

Why don’twe leave the washing-up until tomorrow morning? It’s too late now.(orWhy notleave the washing up…)

We can use the phrasewhy not?as a reply which shows that we agree to a suggestion or request:

A:

How about we invite Barbara and Gina round on Saturday night?

B:

Why not? We haven’t seen them in a long time.