and why was that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and why was that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for clarification or reasoning behind a previous statement or action. Example: "She seemed upset after the meeting, and why was that?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Who had it in for them, and why was that allowed to happen?

The New York Times

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

Huffington Post

Zella: Who decided on the idea of where to create these murals and why was that area selected?

Huffington Post

And why was that important?

BMJ Open

I, too, had always been attracted to the sleek and unencumbered, to the girls who looked more like children than like women, and why was that?

The New Yorker

There was the judging that wasn't right, for a start, the points taken off me by the referee, and why was that guy [the infamous 'Cat in the Hat'] sat there at ringside?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar 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

Bill Loveless: And why is that?

Columbia University

And why is that exciting?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and why was that" to seek clarification or explanation immediately after a statement or observation, ensuring a smooth flow of conversation or writing.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "and why was that" in formal academic or professional documents; opt for more sophisticated phrasing like "what was the rationale behind that decision?" or "what factors contributed to that outcome?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and why was that" functions as an interrogative expression used to solicit an explanation or reason for a preceding statement or situation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in seeking clarification, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and why was that" is a common and grammatically sound inquiry used to solicit further explanation following a statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in news, media, academic, and scientific contexts to encourage elaboration and justification. While its neutral register makes it versatile, it is advisable to favor more formal phrasing in professional or scientific writing. Alternatives such as "what was the reason for that?" or "what were the underlying causes?" may offer a more sophisticated tone in formal settings. Remember to employ this phrase strategically to maintain clarity and encourage insightful discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why was that the case

Emphasizes the situation or fact in question.

what was the reason for that

Focuses on identifying the specific reason.

what's the explanation for that

Seeks a detailed account of the cause.

why did that happen

Directly asks for the cause of an event.

how did that come about

Inquires about the process or circumstances leading to a result.

what prompted that

Asks about the immediate trigger or instigator.

on what grounds was that

Focuses on the justification or basis for a decision.

what were the contributing factors

Explores multiple influences or causes.

can you elaborate on that

Requests further details and clarification.

what's the story behind that

Asks for a more complete narrative or background.

FAQs

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

Use "and why was that" to ask for the reason behind something that has just been mentioned. For example, "The project was delayed, and why was that?"

What's a more formal way to say "and why was that"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "what was the reason for that?", "what were the underlying causes?", or "what was the justification for that?". These alternatives offer a more sophisticated tone.

Is "and why was that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "and why was that" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to inquire about a reason or cause.

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

Adding "and" often implies a direct follow-up question to a previous statement, creating a smoother conversational flow. "Why was that?" is also correct but may sound more abrupt.