why
adverb/waɪ/
Слово англійською: why
Переклад why українською: чому́, наві́що, чого́
Детальний опис
- used in questions to ask the reason for or purpose of something
- Why were you late?
- Tell me why you did it.
- ‘I would like you to go.’ ‘Why me?’
- (informal) Why oh why do people keep leaving the door open?
- used in questions to suggest that it is not necessary to do something
- Why get upset just because you got one bad grade?
- Why bother to write? We'll see him tomorrow.
- used to give or talk about a reason
- That's why I left so early.
- I know you did it—I just want to know why.
- The reason why the injection needs repeating every year is that the virus changes.
Express Yourself Giving reasons, justifying a choiceGiving reasons, justifying a choiceIn various exams, you are asked to make a choice and give reasons for it. In conversation or in a meeting, you may need to explain and justify your decisions:- There are two main reasons why I think it’s the best option: first, there's the cost and second, the quality.
- I believe it's the right thing to do because it gives everyone a fair chance.
- I would choose the newer one on the grounds that it will last longer.
- Of the three houses, the largest one seems to me to be the best, because they need the room.
- My choice would be number 3, simply because it's the clearest design.
Word OriginOld English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin.
Idioms
why ever
- used in questions to mean ‘why’, expressing surprise
- Why ever didn't you tell us before?
why not?
- used to make or agree to a suggestion
- Why not write to her?
- ‘Let's eat out.’ ‘Why not?’
- Why don't we go together?