| 释义 |
why
why W0246900 (wī, hwī)adv. For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive: Why is the door shut? Why do birds sing?conj.1. The reason, cause, or purpose for which: I know why you left.2. Usage Problem On account of which; for which.n. pl. whys 1. The cause or intention underlying a given action or situation: studying the whys of antisocial behavior.2. A difficult problem or question.interj. Used to express mild surprise, indignation, or impatience.
[Middle English, from Old English hwȳ; see kwo- in Indo-European roots.]Usage Note: A traditional rule states that why is redundant in the expression reason why, as in The reason why he accepted the nomination is not clear. It is true that why could be eliminated from such examples with no loss to the meaning, and that that could be used instead of why, but reason why has been used by reputable English writers since the Renaissance, and a majority of the Usage Panel accepts the construction. In our 2009 survey, 55 percent accepted the example quoted above. Higher percentages accepted examples in which reason is modified by a, any, or another instead of the.. For instance, 67 percent accepted the example Is there any reason why this drug enforcement program should work? While there is certainly no harm in observing this rule in one's own writing, insisting on it in the writing of others may seem petty. See Usage Note at where.why (waɪ) adva. for what reason, purpose, or cause?: why are you here?. b. (used in indirect questions): tell me why you're here. pronfor or because of which: there is no reason why he shouldn't come. n, pl whys (usually plural) the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores)interjan introductory expression of surprise, disagreement, indignation, etc: why, don't be silly!. [Old English hwī; related to Old Norse hvī, Gothic hveileiks what kind of, Latin quī]why (ʰwaɪ, waɪ)
adv., conj., n., pl. whys,
interj. adv. 1. for what? for what reason or purpose?: Why do you ask? conj. 2. for what cause or reason: I don't know why he left. 3. for which; on account of which (usu. after reason to introduce a relative clause): the reason why she refused to go. 4. the reason for which: That is why he returned. n. 5. a question concerning the cause or reason for which something is done, achieved, etc.: a child's unending whys. 6. the cause or reason: the whys and wherefores of the Cold War. interj. 7. (used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive): Why, it's all gone! [before 900; Middle English; Old English hwī, hwȳ, instr. case of hwæt what; c. Old Norse hvī] usage: See reason. why1. used in questionsYou use why when you are asking a question about the reason for something. 'I had to say no.' 'Why?'Why did you do it, Marta?2. used when no answer is expectedYou sometimes use why in questions without expecting an answer. For example, you can make a suggestion by asking a question beginning with Why don't. Why don't we all go?Why don't you write to her yourself?You can emphasize that there is no reason for something to be done by asking a question beginning with Why should. Why would he be angry with you?'Will you say sorry?' 'No, why should I?'You can emphasize that there is no reason why something should not be done by asking a question beginning with Why shouldn't. Why shouldn't he go to college?You can suggest that an action is pointless by using why followed by an infinitive without to. Why tell the police? It won't do any good.3. used in reported clausesWhy is often used in reported clauses. He wondered why she had come.You never really told me why you don't like him.Why can be used on its own instead of a reported clause, if it is clear what you mean. For example, instead of saying 'She doesn't like him. I don't know why she doesn't like him', you can say 'She doesn't like him, I don't know why'. They refuse to come I don't know why.He's certainly cheerful, though I can't think why.4. used in relative clausesWhy is sometimes used in relative clauses with the word reason. That is one reason why they were such a successful team.See reasonThesaurus| Noun | 1. | why - the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'whereforereason, ground - a rational motive for a belief or action; "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration" |
whynoun1. That which provides a reason or justification:call, cause, ground (often used in plural), justification, necessity, occasion, reason, wherefore.Idiom: why and wherefore.2. A fact or circumstance that gives logical support to an assertion, claim, or proposal:argument, ground (often used in plural), proof, reason, wherefore.Idiom: why and wherefore.3. What one intends to do or achieve:aim, ambition, design, end, goal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, purpose, target, view.Idioms: end in view, why and wherefore.Translationswhy (wai) adverb for which reason (?). `Why did you hit the child?'; `He hit the child.' `Why?'; Why haven't you finished?; `I haven't finished.' `Why not?'; `Let's go to the cinema.' `Why not?' (= Let's!); Tell me why you came here. 為何 为什么 relative pronoun for which. Give me one good reason why I should help you! 為何 为什么why
See:- (in) the devil
- how on earth
- how, what, why, etc. on earth...
- in (the) blazes?
- in (the) Sam Hill?
- in blue blazes?
- in tarnation?
- in thunderation?
- no matter what/when/where/why/who/how
- ours not to reason why
- that's why
- the whys and wherefores
- theirs not to reason why
- this is why we can't have nice things
- what on earth
- what the (blue) blazes
- Why break the habit of a lifetime?
- Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?
- why don't you?
- why ever
- why ever...?
- why in God's name
- why keep a dog and bark yourself
- Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
- why not
- Why not?
- why on earth
- whys and wherefores
- whys and wherefores of
- whys and wherefores, the
WHY
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|
| WHY➣What Have You (UK classified ads) | | WHY➣World Hunger Year (founded by Harry Chapin) | | WHY➣Woodland Hills Youth (St. Paul, MN) | | WHY➣West High Yield Resources (Canada) | | WHY➣West Hartford Yoga (Hartford, CT) | | WHY➣World Home for Youth (Italy) |
why
Synonyms for whynoun that which provides a reason or justificationSynonyms- call
- cause
- ground
- justification
- necessity
- occasion
- reason
- wherefore
noun a fact or circumstance that gives logical support to an assertion, claim, or proposalSynonyms- argument
- ground
- proof
- reason
- wherefore
noun what one intends to do or achieveSynonyms- aim
- ambition
- design
- end
- goal
- intent
- intention
- mark
- meaning
- object
- objective
- point
- purpose
- target
- view
Synonyms for whynoun the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase 'the whys and wherefores'SynonymsRelated Words |