Are you a curious person who is often asking "why?"
Do you want to move your English to a higher level?
If so, then you can't just repeat the same words over and over again. You need to stretch your limits and expand your vocabulary!
Today I am going to teach you 5 new ways to say that common question "why?" Read this article to start using new ways to ask that important question.
1) How come?
This is a casual way to ask "why?"
You might hear kids ask "how come?" or it might be used between adults who are good friends.
You would definitely NOT use this in a professional situation when you are speaking with your boss or in a meeting.
Save "how come?" for the casual conversations between friends.
Sample conversation (two kids are talking at the park):
A: Hey today was fun but I gotta go home now
B: How come?
A: Because my mom said that I have to be home for dinner at 6pm
2) Why would that be?
Here is a sample conversation (two friends are taking a walk in the neighborhood):
A: Did you remember to turn the lights off at your house before you left?
B: Oh thanks for the reminder. I forgot. I will go back inside and turn them off. The electricity bill was really high last month.
A: My electricity bill was higher than usual also.
B: Maybe the electrical company changed their policies.
A: Hmm...why would that be?
3) What's the reason for that?
Sample conversation (A man walks into a department store with his dog):
A: Good morning, can you tell me where Macy's is?
B: It's on the first floor, to your right, but wait a minute sir, I'm sorry but we don't allow dogs in this mall.
A: Oh yeah? What's the reason for that? He's very well trained.
4) Why is that?
Sample conversation (Two friends are eating at a restaurant):
A: What are you going to order for dinner?
B: I am thinking about getting the scallops. How about you?
A: Well, I'll probably just have the eggplant. I eat mostly vegetarian dishes now.
B: Oh really? Why is that?
5) And that's because.....?
This is usually said with a proper intonation so that it sounds like the speaker is waiting for the person to finish his sentence by answering the question.
Sample conversation (A teacher and a student are speaking in a classroom)
A: Sir, I am sorry but I don't have my homework today.
B: Why don't you have your homework?
A: I didn't schedule enough time in my evening to sit down and get it done.
B: And that's because........?
Photo credit: Ksayer1, Lara604, John Seb, Italy Chronicles Photos, www.audio-luci-store
