Why not is a friendly way to agree to a suggestion: “sure, let's do it”. Its second use is a gentle suggestion: Why not ask your teacher? means “Maybe you could ask your teacher?”. It sounds friendly and fits almost anywhere, from chatting with friends to talking with a colleague.
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Why not? (agreeing); Sure, why not?; Why not + verb (base form)?
- — Shall we try the new Thai place tonight? — Why not? I've heard it's good.
- If the gym is too expensive, why not go running in the park instead?
What changed
First versionSure, why no? I've never tried Georgian food.
RevisionSure, why not? I've never tried Georgian food.
Why no can seem logical, but in English no works as a separate answer to a question, while inside a phrase the negative is not: why not, I hope not, of course not.
The same words can also be a real question. If someone refuses, Why not? means “Why?”, and they are expected to explain: — I'm not coming to the party. — Why not? The situation and the intonation show whether it's agreement or a question.
Your turn
If you can't fall asleep, why not ___ your phone off an hour before bed?
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turn — This is advice, and after why not the verb takes its base form without to: why not turn. To turn looks like a familiar infinitive, but after why not there's no to.
A classmate complains that she just can't remember new words. Suggest a method using Why not + verb and explain how it will help.
Why not write each new word in a sentence about your own life? It helps you remember how the word is really used.
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