Why.?' as a question-word

13.37.1 'Why...?': reason and purpose [> 1.48, 1.51]

Why questions may ask for a reason or reasons which can be supplied with Because (Not "Why *)

Why didn't you tell me John had left you?

- Because I didn t want to burden you with my troubles Because is often omitted (and therefore implied) in responses A to-infinitive or because can answer Why? [purpose > 16.12.1]

Why did you go this way? - To save time ('because I wanted to')

Particular question words and their uses

.37.2 Why don't/doesn't...?' and Why not?'

Why + don for doesn't can be used to make suggestions

/ don t like this wallpaper - Then why don't you change i t? Why not followed by a bare infinitive can be used in the same way

Why not wait till the winter sales to buy a new coat⁷ Why not? (in place of a Why question) can ask for a reason

/' m not going to work today - Why not? or can be used in response to suggestions

Let's eat out tonight - Yes why not? It can be used defensively in

Are you really going to sue them? - Yes why not?

13.37.3 Some functional uses of 'Why...?'

Why + verb often conveys the meaning of 'It's not worth the trouble to ' or 'I don't think you should' / think I ought to tidy this place up

- Why bother? (i e it's not worth bothering to)
You re fully insured so why worry?

Why combines with modals to convey a variety of emotions, etc

- anger Why can't you shut up?

- irritation/complaint Why should I do i t?

- failure to understand Why should the boiling point of water

be lower at the top of a mountain?

Where...?' as a question-word

Where is used to inquire about place (either precise references or general ones) The answers to Where questions can be whole sentences, phrases or single words

Where is he? - He's over there. Over there! There!

Where did you get that ladder from? - From the garage. In everyday speech Where's can combine with a plural subject

Where s your keys? - They re here [compare Here's > 7.59.1 ]

Where from? asks for the origin of people or things

Where are you from?/Where do you come from? - Spain
That s a lovely vase Where's it from? - China