12月8日号：Why questions

Why questions are often used to ask about reasons and to ask for explanations. Today, let’s look at some of the different uses of why questions in conversation.

The most common use of why is to ask for a reason or to get an explanation.

A: Why were you late to work today?

B: I missed my train.

A: Why did you call me this morning?

B: I wanted to check what time the meeting was going to start.

A: Why don’t you like sushi?

B: I’m not a big fan of seafood.

To respond to something, we can also just use why or why not. We use why for positive statements and why not for negative statements.

A: I’m trying to save money.

B: Why?

A: I want to buy a new car.

A: I don’t want to go out for dinner tonight.

B: Why not?

A: I’m not feeling well.

Another way we can ask for a reason is to ask why is that? This can be used with both positive and negative statements.

A: I am going to spend two weeks in Vietnam this April.

B: Why is that?

A: For business.

A: I didn’t eat breakfast this morning.

B: Why’s that?

A: I didn’t have time.

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英会話イーオン東京本社教務課コーディネーター。イーオン教師のトレーニングや英語セミナーを企画制作するカリスマ教師として活躍中。カリフォルニア大学バークレー校卒業。趣味は読書、料理、クラフトワーク。