Why

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by John99, Jul 25, 2009.

  1. John99 Banned Banned

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    Why you have to put a question mark after why?

    example:

    biily: i went to the movies.

    jimmy: why. (why?)
     
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  3. tuberculatious Banned Banned

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  5. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Because it's a question. Why else ?
     
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  7. John99 Banned Banned

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    is that right?
     
  8. John99 Banned Banned

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    how is it a question?

    what are you asking specifically with the word why.
     
  9. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    That depends on the statement that prompted the question.

    Person A - "You should brush your teeth three times a day!"

    Person B - "Why?"

    Here, the question "Why?" actually means "Why do I have to brush my teeth three times a day?"

    It's an abbreviation of the full question.
     
  10. John99 Banned Banned

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    i dont think you understand.

    why and a ? both mean the same thing.
     
  11. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    No.
     
  12. John99 Banned Banned

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    i think they are exactly the same.
     
  13. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Then you are wrong.

    Why, when, where, how, who, what.. all mean exactly the same as a '?' ?
    Then why aren't they interchangeable ?
     
  14. John99 Banned Banned

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    i am asking why why is not interchangeable with ?.

    the other things you mention are more specific.
     
  15. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Because they are not the same !

    Jesus Christ, John. Please sit back for a while and think it over.
     
  16. John99 Banned Banned

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    ?

    (test)
     
  17. John99 Banned Banned

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    what am i asking in post #13?

    (disregard text between parenthesis)
     
  18. John99 Banned Banned

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    examine the text below:

    a: i am going to the movies.
    b: ?
    a: what do you mean why.

    a: i am going to the movies.
    b: When?

    you cannot be asking when with ? but you can be asking why.

    it seems to me like if you put the ? alone you would always be asking why.
     
  19. tuberculatious Banned Banned

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    where is also a question. yet you didn't question the questionmark after where.
     
  20. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Nothing at all. The single question mark does express some confusion though.
     
  21. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Seriously.. :spank:
     
  22. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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  23. mike47 Banned Banned

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    Because linguistics say so.....loool .
     

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