[Grammar] Why buy your child a video game and distract them from school when you can buy ...?

[kadioguy]

History of Electronic Games

JUL 15, 1985

Commodore 64

Introduction of personal computers like the Commodore 64, whose theme “Why buy your child a video game and distract them from school when you can buy them a home computer that will prepare them for college?”

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-electronic-games--19

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Grammatically, should it be “Why do you buy your child a video game ...”?

 

[Glizdka]

It's perfectly natural English. You could change it to "Why would you buy your child (...)" to have a similar, sort of, effect. "Why do you buy (...)" sounds unnatural.

I don't know how to explain/parse it properly.

 

[dunchee]

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Grammatically, should it be “Why do you buy your child a video game ...”?

Swan's Practical English Usage, 3rd edition(I know you have this book):
628 why and why not

3 infinitive structures
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Why can be followed by an infinitive without to. ....​

Why argue with him? ....
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