If we were to use the uncontracted form, it would be: Why can you not study more?
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Thread: Why + can't or cannot
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Junior Member
- Join Date: Feb 2011
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#1 17-Oct-2011, 14:14Why + can't or cannot
Hi everyone,
Is sentence number 1 incorrect? I think it is but I don't know why.
1. Why cannot you study more?
2. Why can't you study more?
Thanks
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Retired English Teacher
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#2 17-Oct-2011, 14:44Re: Why + can't or cannot
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Other
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#3 17-Oct-2011, 15:01Re: Why + can't or cannot
[QUOTE=crazyaboutenglish;812441]Hi everyone,
NOT A TEACHER
(1) It's just one of those "rules" that we have to follow:
Why don't you study more?
Why do you not study more?
Why won't you marry me?
Why will you not marry me?
Why shouldn't I marry Mona?
Why should I not marry Mona?
Why doesn't that leader treat the people better?
Why does that leader not treat the people better?
Why haven't you called me?
Why have you not called me?
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Junior Member
Student or Learner
- Join Date: Feb 2011
- Posts: 99
#4 17-Oct-2011, 15:07Re: Why + can't or cannot
Thanks that's very clear now!
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Retired English Teacher
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#5 17-Oct-2011, 15:09Re: Why + can't or cannot
The doubt probably arose because many of my generation spell 'cannot' as one word. We still split it in the uncontracted interrogative.
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