Why so?

[sitifan]

John: I don't want to go swimming with you.
Mary: Why so?
(English Grammar Code by Wang Shengliang, page 33)

In the above dialog, what does the expression "why so" mean?

 

[Rover_KE]

What point is Wang Shengliang making here?

Every native English-speaker I know would ask 'Why not?' after a negative statement, or just 'Why?'

 

[sitifan]

What point is Wang Shengliang making here?

He is talking about the usage of "so."

 

[Rover_KE]

That's not the only questionable example of Wang's understanding of English we've encountered. [link] [another link] [and another]

I recommend throwing that book away.

 

[sitifan]

That's not the only questionable example of Wang's understanding of English we've encountered. [link] [another link] [and another]
I recommend throwing that book away.

Thank you very much for your advice. I have thrown that grammar book away.

 

[5jj]

For this relief much thanks.

 

[sitifan]

For this relief much thanks.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary, "thanks" is plural, having come from the Middle English singular word "thank." Therefore, "many thanks" is the right phrase because we use "many" with plural count nouns, and we use "much" with mass nouns.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/much-thanks-or-many-thanks

 

[5jj]

Therefore, "many thanks" is the right phrase

Not if you are quoting Shakespeare, as I was.

 

[probus]

Wangshengliang was just plain wrong on this one. Why not is used in response to negative statements and why so with affirmative statements.

I don't want to go swimming.
Why not?

I think Wang Sheng Liang is deluded.
Why so?

 

[slevlife]

The author of this book has so many bizarre errors you’ve been sharing with us.

I think my favorite is https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/289407-I-and-Lily-I-and-you . It’s hard to imagine how he got this idea. And unlike “why so,” it’s not just an error but he gave it intention/meaning that doesn’t exist, and then didn’t seem to look for any patterns or verification (because there is none to be found) before putting it in his book.

Is this a popular book in China?

 

[sitifan]

Is this a popular book in China?

The author comes from China, and the book is published in China, using simplified Chinese characters. I live in Taiwan and I bought the book in Taiwan. People in Taiwan normally use traditional Chinese characters, so the book is not popular in Taiwan. Because Taiwan and China are two different countries for the time being, I don't know if it's a popular book in China.

 

[emsr2d2]

I know from forum users in China that it can be difficult to source good English text books in China, especially ones written by native English speakers. Is it easier to obtain such books in Taiwan?

 

[sitifan]

I know from forum users in China that it can be difficult to source good English text books in China, especially ones written by native English speakers. Is it easier to obtain such books in Taiwan?

Books written by native English speakers are very easy to obtain in Taiwan. The only problem is that they are usually much more expensive than books written by Chinese teachers of English.

 

[emsr2d2]

Books written by native English speakers are very easy to obtain in Taiwan. The only problem is that they are usually much more expensive than books written by Chinese teachers of English.

I think the investment is worth it. Whatever money you spent on the book you've now thrown away was money wasted.