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I don't know why to eat.

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apink

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Oct 26, 2012
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Hello,

English speaking peole say this sentence feels strange, but

'I don't know why to eat that' makes sense though.

As a non English speaking person, Honestly, I dont feel it

strange because I understand English sentences by translating them

into my first language. also, if iI try to translate it into my language

it makes sense. it makes me really confused,I thnking why do they think it strange?

Could you please give any understandable accoumts for me?

Thank you very much
 

5jj

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We simply do not use 'why' in this way.

I don't know what/where/when/who (if you are a cannibal)/how (if you have suffered a brain injury) to eat are all possible, but I don't know why to eat is not. I don't know why.
 

emsr2d2

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You can say "I don't know why we/people eat" if you're talking about the whole human race, although I find it unlikely that you wouldn't know the answer.
You can say "I don't know why I eat [so much]" or similar.

You will find a lot of problems with your understanding and use of English if you try to simply translate verbatim from your native language and vice versa.
 

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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I understand English sentences by translating them

Languages express things in very different ways, so translating them directly can be very difficult.

'I don't know why to eat that' makes sense though.

It does make sense, but that does not mean it is grammatically correct. Most people would understand I go yesterday, but that does not make it right.
 
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