why, why, why or why? It is common to have this doubt when writing. The use of whys depends on the meaning that we want to give to a sentence. Thus, we use "why" with the same value as "why", "why", "why", "why", "why", "why" and "why".
The “why”, in the sense of “for what reason” or “for what reason”, has an accent when it occurs at the end of a sentence and before a period, exclamation point or question mark. However, if we want to substitute expressions like “because”, “since”, “since”, “since” or “because of”, we must use the “because”. We only put the accent — that is, “why” — if we intend to use a synonym for “reason” or “reason”.
Read too: Sawing or sealing?
When to use “why”?
We use "why" (separate and without accent) in the following cases:
→ with the same value as "by which", "by which", "by which" or "by which"
Examples:
The reason I struggled so hard was to make the world a better place for everyone.
The paths I walked were full of roses and thorns.
I don't admit that the pain I went through is trivialized!
Freedom and equality are things worth living and dying for.
→ with the same meaning as “for what reason” or “for what reason”
Examples:
Why does the sun shine?
Nobody knows why the girl ran away from home.
→ with the same value as “by which”
Examples:
Do you know which direction the bus went?
Why did Ruth de Souza film win the best actress award?
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
How to replace “why”?
It is possible to replace the "why", according to the desired meaning, by the expressions:
→ "by which", "by which", "by which" or "by which"
Examples:
The reason I struggled so hard was to make the world a better place for everyone.
The paths I walked were full of roses and thorns.
I don't admit that the pain I went through is trivialized!
Freedom and equality are things worth living and dying for.
→ “for what reason” or “for what reason”
Examples:
For what reason does the sun shine?
Nobody knows why the girl ran away from home.
→ “by which”
Examples:
Do you know which direction the bus went?
For which film Ruth de Souza won the best actress award?
See too: When to use ratify and rectify?
When to use “why”?
We use “why” (separated and accented), with the meaning of “for what reason” or “for what reason”, at the end of a sentence and, therefore, before the period, exclamation point or question mark.
Examples:
He didn't come to the party on Saturday, and I wonder why.
I'm happy and I don't know why!
Why did organizers cancel the show?
Attention! too we can use "why" when omitting the verb used in the previous sentence:
Many dogs in the neighborhood died today. Finding out why is our priority.
Therefore, the verb “died” was omitted in the second sentence:
Many dogs in the neighborhood died today. Finding out why they died is our priority.
How to replace “why”?
We can replace the “why” with the expressions “for what reason” or “for what reason”.
Examples:
He didn't come to the party on Saturday, and I wonder why.
I'm happy and I don't know why!
Organizers canceled the show for what reason?
When to use “because”?
The "because" (together and without accent) is a conjunction causal or explanatory, and has the same value as "because", "since", "since", "since" or "because of".
Examples:
April 23 is National Crying Day because Pixinguinha was born on that day.
Because I disagreed with her opinion, she excluded me from the group.
Bruno did this because he was already tired of so much humiliation!
He decided to research the singularity because he was very curious about black holes.
Why is Edna sulking? Is it because Fabiana didn't say goodbye to her before traveling?
He passed out because he hadn't eaten for days.
Attention! "Because" can also be used as highlight denotative term:
History will do it justice. Because, don't doubt: the truth is always sovereign.
In this example, the "because" has no grammatical function, it is only used for give emphasis to what is being expressed. Therefore, this term could be removed from the statement without compromising its meaning:
History will do it justice. Do not doubt: the truth is always sovereign.
How to replace “because”?
It is possible to replace “because” with expressions such as “because”, “since”, “since”, “since” or “because of”.
Examples:
April 23 is National Crying Day, as Pixinguinha was born on that day.
Since I disagreed with her opinion, she excluded me from the group.
Bruno did this because he was already tired of so much humiliation!
He decided to research the singularity as he was very curious about black holes.
Why is Edna sulking? Is it because Fabiana didn't say goodbye to her before traveling?
He passed out since he hadn't eaten for days.
When to use “why”?
The "why" (along with an accent) is a substantive used as a synonym for the words “reason” and “reason”.
Examples:
The governor needs to explain why his actions.
- I look for a reason for my existence.
Since it is a noun, it can also be used in the plural:
There are many reasons related to my attitude, considered, by some people, disrespectful.
Aren't these whys enough for you to leave me alone?
How to replace “why”?
We can replace the "why" with the words "reason" and "reason":
The governor needs to explain the reason for his actions.
I look for a reason for my existence.
There are many reasons related to my attitude, considered, by some people, disrespectful.
Aren't those reasons enough for you to leave me alone?
Examples of sentences with whys
Below, we will read some examples of sentences with the whys, taken from the book star hour, in Clarice Lispector (1920-1977):
"I'll probably write something happy later, though happy why?"
"Why do I write about a young girl who doesn't even have decorated poverty?"
"The girl didn't ask why she was always punished but not everything you need to know and not knowing was an important part of her life."
“Macabea ask for forgiveness? Because you always ask. Because?"
"And I'll advance a fact: this is a girl who has never seen herself naked because she was ashamed."
"He added annoyed without realizing the reason for his sudden irritation and anger."
"As I will say now, this story will be the result of a gradual vision — for two and a half years I have been slowly discovering the whys."
And also the novel Quincas Borba, in Machado de Assis (1839-1908):
“When the will was opened, Rubião almost fell over backwards. Guess why.”
“Rubião recalled his entry into Camacho's office, the way he spoke; and then he went back to the act itself.”
"Do you think I didn't see the way he looked at that girl who passed by just now?"
“I was going to order another one like this, whatever the price; I also had to present the bride.”
"But why would Rubião leave them?"
Read too: Bring or back?
Summary of why use rules
WHY |
WHEN TO USE |
EXAMPLES |
Because |
With the same value as "for which", "for which", "for which", "for which", "for which", "for which reason", "for which reason". |
|
Because |
With the same meaning as “for what reason” or “for what reason”, at the end of a sentence and before a period, exclamation point or question mark. |
|
Why |
With the same value as “because”, “since”, “since”, “since” or “because of”. |
|
Because |
As a synonym for “reason” or “reason”. |
|
solved exercises
Question 1 - Read this stanza from the poem “Motivo”, by Cecília Meireles:
I sing because the moment exists
and my life is complete.
I'm not happy nor am I sad:
I'm a poet.
The word "because", highlighted, may be replaced, without prejudice to its meaning, by all the following expressions, EXCEPT:
A) since
B) for what reason
C) since
D) since
E) because
Resolution
Alternative B. The word "because" is a causal or explanatory conjunction, therefore, it can be replaced by "since", "since", "since" or "because". The expression “for what reason” is equivalent to “why” (separate and without accent).
Question 2 - Read the following statements and mark the alternative where the use of “why”, “why”, “because” or “why” is INCORRECT.
A) He asked me why I was being so kind after everything that had happened.
B) The singer interrupted the show because she noticed a fight in the middle of the audience.
C) Why don't you ask the teacher to give you another biology test tomorrow?
D) Because I couldn't find my car keys, I decided to ride my bike to work today.
E) I came to apologize and explain why I haven't paid you so far.
Resolution
Alternative E. The phrase “I came to apologize and explain why I haven't paid you so far” can be rewritten like this: “I came to apologize and explain why I haven't paid you so far”. Therefore, it is correct to use “why” (separate and without accent).
question 3 - Use the whys to fill in the blanks in this text:
Mário left home ______ wanted to walk a little and think about the ______ of existence. I didn't know ______ things weren't going well. For a moment, he was unsure whether to head for the supermarket or the pharmacy. Finally, he turned left. Then he noticed that he was being followed by a stray puppy. He looked at the animal and asked, “Are you following me ______? Huh, geek?”. Soon they became inseparable friends.
The correct sequence for filling in the gaps is:
A) why, why, why, why.
B) why, why, why, why.
C) why, why, why, why.
D) why, why, why, why.
E) why, why, why, why.
Resolution
Alternative C. The correct sequence for filling in the blanks is: "because" (because), "why" (noun), "by that" (for what reason) and "why" (for what reason, at the end of the sentence, before the sign of interrogation).
by Warley Souza
Portuguese teacher
