Cool MateWhat for vs Why
Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.
What for
FamilierTop 5000 (assez courant)
Why
Bloc à haute fréquenceA1adverb
Le plus formel: WhyLe plus courant: Why
| What for | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Prononciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt fɔː//🇺🇸 //wɑt fɔr// | 🇬🇧 /["/waɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/waɪ/"]/ |
| Sens | A phrase asking about the purpose of something. | A word used to ask for a reason or explanation. |
| Exemple | I forgot my umbrella; what for is it raining anyway? | I asked her why she was late. |
| Registre | Familier | Neutre |
| Fréquence | Top 5000 (assez courant) | Bloc à haute fréquence |
| Niveau CEFR | - | A1 |
| Nature grammaticale | adverb | |
| Collocations | ask what for, wonder what for, what for this, say what for, know what for | ask why, wonder why, no reason why |
| Antonymes | - | because, therefore, so |
| Erreurs fréquentes | Confused with 'what is for' which is less common., Used in formal contexts, which can sound awkward., Omitted the subject, making the question unclear. | Omitting 'why' in a question that needs it., Using 'why' in a statement instead of a question., Confusing it with 'when' or 'how'. |
| Notes d'usage | Used in casual conversation to inquire about reasons or purposes. It's not usually used in formal writing. | Used to inquire about reasons. Generally suitable for most contexts, but avoid in very formal writing. Often starts a question. |
Vois-le dans de vrais extraits
Questions fréquentes : What for vs Why
Quelle est la différence entre What for et Why ?
What for: A phrase asking about the purpose of something. Why: A word used to ask for a reason or explanation.
Lequel est le plus formel : What for et Why ?
Why est le plus formel de tous.
Lequel est le plus courant : What for et Why ?
Why est le plus courant dans l'anglais de tous les jours.
Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?
What for: I forgot my umbrella; what for is it raining anyway? Why: I asked her why she was late.
Puis-je utiliser What for et Why de façon interchangeable ?
Pas toujours. What for et Why sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.