why vs. what for

A

azz

Banned
Persian
I feel there is a difference between 'why' and 'what for'. The latter seems to imply some sort of intention.

a. Why does the earth revolve around the sun?
b. What does the earth revolve around the sun for?

I don't think (b) works.

However
c. What did you do that for?
works and so does
d. What were you laid off for?

In (c), one wants to know what your intention was.
In (d), you were fired because you had done something. The implication is you had done something for which you were dismissed. So one wouldn't use (d) if one thought that the person was dismissed because there were budget cuts.

Is that analysis correct?

Many thanks.
 
    • No. "What for" means "for what reason" or "for what purpose". "Why" often means this too, so often they are interchangeable. It really depends on the structure of the question whether "why" sounds better.
     
    They went yo the market to buy/and bought some sweets.

    I know "What did they go to the market for?" is correct here, but can "why" also work in the question? I find "why" odd/wrong.
    Please enlighten.
    Thanks.
     
    Last edited:
    Why works in the market sentence, but what for sounds more natural because you are asking what items they went for.

    @azz : b doesn't sound natural because "what for" is typically used when asking about a motive. b would suggest that the earth had a motive for revolving round the sun, which clearly it doesn't. The more neutral "why" sounds/looks better.
     
    Glasguensis said:
    Why works in the market sentence, but what for sounds more natural because you are asking what items they went for.

    @azz : b doesn't sound natural because "what for" is typically used when asking about a motive. b would suggest that the earth had a motive for revolving round the sun, which clearly it doesn't. The more neutral "why" sounds/looks better.
    Click to expand...
    I agree.
    What for is better at expressing indignation. If someone hit you, you'd probably say What did you do that for? in a reproachful and hurtful tone of voice. Why did you marry Rosemary? sounds more neutral in tone.
     
    Last edited:
    "What does the Earth revolve around the sun for?" asks, what is the Earth's purpose in revolving? What does Earth want to achieve?
    "Why does the Earth revolve around the sun?" asks, what causes the Earth to revolve? For what reason is this happening?

    Here, 'what for' sounds rather childish because we all know that Earth does not have its own purpose, it is trapped by gravity. 'Why' is the only option.

    You might ask "What do trees grow leaves for?" or "What do men grow nipples for?". What are trees/male bodies trying to achieve by doing this? 'What for' and 'why' are both acceptable here.
     
    I think I'd always say why? for questions about natural phenomena. Why do monkeys have long tails? Why do trees shed their leaves in winter? Why do birds build nests?
     
    You could answer "Why do monkeys have long tails?" with "Because that's how they evolved". And in response, "But what do monkeys have long tails for?!". What for specifically asks for a purpose.

    Why is the standard textbook way of posing this kind of question but I definitely would not say I always use it, for nature or otherwise. There is a small but useful distinction for real life situations - every conversation is unique.
     
    azz said:
    I feel there is a difference between 'why' and 'what for'. The latter seems to imply some sort of intention.

    a. Why does the earth revolve around the sun?
    b. What does the earth revolve around the sun for?

    I don't think (b) works.

    However
    c. What did you do that for?
    works and so does
    d. What were you laid off for?

    In (c), one wants to know what your intention was.
    In (d), you were fired because you had done something. The implication is you had done something for which you were dismissed. So one wouldn't use (d) if one thought that the person was dismissed because there were budget cuts.

    Is that analysis correct?

    Many thanks.
    Click to expand...

    I thought about it. I believe that you use why when you already have a cause for the action and the question that comes for that action should use "Why". When your action has a result, and result is heavier than the cause, then you use "what for".

    Why did you go to the hospital?
    Going to hospital has a bigger reason.

    Why did you beat him ?
    There was a reason.

    I went to mall.
    What did you go mall for ?
     
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