grammar · neutral

why + S + V

Band 4-5speakingtask2

a relative adverb used to introduce a clause giving a reason (commonly after 'reason').

Examples

“the reason why I left”

“the reason why she disagreed”

“I know the reason why he failed the exam”

Band 8 sentence

“The main reason why young people move to cities is the greater availability of jobs and services.”

Collocations

  • the reason why + clause
  • know/understand the reason why + clause

Word family

why relative adverb / interrogative

Common mistakes

the reason which I was late→the reason why I was late

the reason why because he was tired→the reason why he was tired

Say it for a higher band

5the reason which + clause→6the reason that + clause→7+why + S + V

Synonyms

the reason that

Easily confused

the reason that

“I couldn't understand the reason why she refused the offer.”

Related words

defining vs non-defining relative clauses (use of commas and that/which/who), who + Vthe + superlative + N + (that) + S + Veach of whom + V, which is why + S + VIndefinite pronouns + who/that + V (someone/anyone/anything + who/that)the majority of + N + who + Vthose who + V

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In Relative clauses

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