why

Primarily an interrogative and relative adverb, or subordinating conjunction, used to ask about or refer to reason, purpose, or cause. Note: 'Why' is not classified as a determiner in modern English grammar. It does not modify nouns directly but functions to introduce questions about reasons, relative clauses referring to cause, or causal adverbial clauses. This entry includes its primary adverbial and conjunctive meanings for completeness.

• 🇫🇷Adverbe interrogatif ou relatif, ainsi que conjonction de subordination, servant à interroger ou à introduire une proposition exprimant la cause, le but ou la raison. Remarque : en anglais moderne, 'why' n'est pas classé comme déterminant, mais fonctionne comme adverbe ou conjonction.

1. Interrogative adverb (reason) A1 formal

   Used in questions to ask for the reason, cause, or purpose behind an action, event, or situation.

   • Why did you leave early?
   • Why is the sky blue?
   • Why are you laughing?

   🇫🇷pourquoi (adverbe interrogatif)

2. Relative adverb (reason reference) B1 formal

   Used to introduce a relative clause that refers to a reason or cause mentioned previously, often following nouns like 'reason'. It connects the clause to a cause-related antecedent.

   • That is the reason why I called you.
   • I don't know the reason why he quit.
   • Tell me the reason why you disagree.

   🇫🇷où (relatif de cause)

3. Subordinating conjunction (causal clause) B2 informal

   Used to introduce an adverbial clause expressing cause or reason, often equivalent to 'because' or 'since' in informal usage.

   • I stayed home, why I missed the meeting.
   • He was late, why he apologized.
   • She didn't study, why she failed the test.

   🇫🇷pourquoi (conjonction de subordination causale)

4. Exclamatory or rhetorical use B1 informal

   Used in exclamations or rhetorical questions to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis regarding a situation, often without expecting an answer.

   • Why, I never expected to see you here!
   • Why bother asking if you won't listen?
   • Why on earth would you do that?

   🇫🇷Que (valeur exclamative ou rhétorique)

A noun referring to the cause, reason, or intention underlying an action or situation, often used in the phrase 'the whys and wherefores'.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant la cause, la raison ou l'intention qui sous-tend une action ou une situation, souvent utilisé dans l'expression « le pourquoi et le comment » ou « les tenants et les aboutissants ».

1. Reason or explanation B2 formal

   The cause, reason, or explanation for something, often used in the phrase 'the whys and wherefores'.

   • We need to understand the whys and wherefores of the decision.
   • She explained the whys behind her actions.
   • The report details the whys and wherefores of the project's failure.

   🇫🇷Pourquoi (substantif)

   Synonymes: accountbasiscauseexplanationjustificationmotiverationalereason

• whys plural form
• whys' possessive plural form
• why's possessive singular form