Basic Details
Word: Why
Part of Speech: Adverb / Conjunction / Interjection
Meaning: Used to ask for reason or purpose; also used to express surprise or emphasis.
Synonyms: How come, for what reason, on what account
Antonyms: Therefore, thus, hence (in logical usage)
Idioms and Phrases
- Why not? - Used to express agreement or suggest doing something. Example: "Let's go for a walk." "Sure, why not?"
- For why? - An old-fashioned or dialectal way of asking for the reason. Example: "He did not say for why he left early."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Why are you late to class today?
Example 2: She didn't explain why she was upset.
Example 3: Why, that's an amazing idea!
Fun Fact
The word "why" dates back to Old English *hw*, which is related to *how* and *who*. It has been used in interrogative sentences for centuries and also serves as an exclamation in informal speech.
Famous Quote
"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is the main function of the word "why"?
a) To describe objects
b) To ask for a reason
c) To give instructions
d) To show location
Answer: b) To ask for a reason
2. Which of the following is a synonym of "why"?
a) Therefore
b) How come
c) Here
d) Because
Answer: b) How come
3. In which sentence is "why" used as an interjection?
a) Why is she crying?
b) I don't know why he left.
c) Why, it's good to see you here!
d) She didn't say why.
Answer: c) Why, it's good to see you here!
4. Which sentence uses "why" to ask for a reason?
a) Why, he's so generous!
b) Why is the sky blue?
c) She said why she didn't come.
d) Why not!
Answer: b) Why is the sky blue?
5. What does the phrase "why not?" usually express?
a) Rejection
b) Surprise
c) Agreement or suggestion
d) Confusion
Answer: c) Agreement or suggestion
