and why is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and why is that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for clarification or reasoning behind a statement or situation. Example: "I noticed you seem upset today; and why is that?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"And why is that?

The New York Times - Sports

And why is that important?

The New York Times

And, why is that?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And why is that exciting?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And why is that so?

The Washington Post

Bill Loveless: And why is that?

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

And why's that?

TechCrunch

No and why's that?

Vice

"And why was that important?," you ask.

Huffington Post

And why was that important?

BMJ Open

And so why is that?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and why is that" in written form, ensure it follows a statement or observation to which you want a justification or explanation. It works best as a follow-up question.

Common error

Avoid using "and why is that" excessively in a short span, as it can sound repetitive or interrogative. Variety your questions to maintain engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and why is that" functions as an interrogative expression. It serves to elicit further explanation or justification for a preceding statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and why is that" is a versatile interrogative phrase used to solicit explanations or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across contexts like News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to be mindful of potential alternatives for formal situations and avoid overuse. As demonstrated by Ludwig, understanding the phrase's function and purpose allows for its effective incorporation into various forms of communication, both written and spoken.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What's the reason for that?

More direct and less conversational.

Why is that the case?

More formal and emphasizes the situation or fact.

Can you explain why?

Directly requests an explanation from the speaker.

Why is that so?

Emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the statement.

What makes you say that?

Challenges the basis for the statement.

What's the explanation for that?

Formal and seeks a detailed account.

How come?

Informal and concise way to ask for a reason.

To what do you attribute that?

More formal and seeks the cause or source.

On what basis do you say that?

Formal and challenges the evidence or justification.

What's behind that?

Implies a hidden or underlying reason.

FAQs

How can I use "and why is that" in a sentence?

You can use "and why is that" after someone makes a statement to politely ask them to elaborate on their reasoning. For example, "The project was delayed, and why is that?"

What's a more formal alternative to "and why is that"?

Alternatives such as "What is the reason for that" or "Why is that the case" can be used in more formal settings.

Is it appropriate to use "and why is that" in professional emails?

Yes, but use it sparingly. In formal communication, consider alternatives like "can you explain why" or "what is the explanation for that" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "and why is that" and "why is that"?

Adding "and" softens the question, making it sound less abrupt and more conversational. "Why is that?" is more direct and can sometimes come across as challenging, which depending on the context might be exactly what you intend.