why is that the case

USAGE SUMMARY

'Why is that the case?' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to ask for an explanation about why something is the way it is. For example: "Everyone in the city seems to be moving to the suburbs. Why is that the case?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I have to ask myself why is that the case?

The Guardian

Why is that the case, and would that be the case in other magazines?" she asked.

The New York Times

For every Dropbox, the popular file storage service, there are hundreds of businesses that never make it, he said, adding: "Why is that the case?

The New York Times

"The questions that need to be asked are, if there are different practices within the immigration department, why is that the case, and why are they not benchmarked against what would be current contemporary psychiatric practice," says Newman.

The Guardian

Why is that the case?

The New York Times

Mr Carney added: "Why is that the case?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But why's that the case?

The Guardian

Why was that the case?

Forbes

But why is that usually the case with Labor Day? Photos: The billion-dollar box office club.

Los Angeles Times

Why is that still the case?Bobby Jindal: That is a great point.

The Economist

Why on earth is that the case?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When posing the question, be sure the context is already established so the listener or reader understands what "that" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and ensures a focused response.

Common error

Avoid using "why is that the case" without properly setting up the situation you are questioning. Without clear context, the question becomes vague and may lead to unfocused answers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "why is that the case" is to serve as an interrogative phrase, prompting an explanation for a preceding statement or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and seeks to understand the underlying reasons.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "why is that the case" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase to prompt for explanations, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an interrogative, commonly found in news and media and scientific contexts. While versatile, its use should be tailored to suit the formality of the setting, and its meaning depends heavily on the clarity of the context. Common mistakes involve using it without establishing what "that" refers to, so it's important to use it strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why is it so

Focuses on the reason something exists or happens in a certain way, omitting "that" and "case".

what's the explanation for that

Directly asks for the explanation, emphasizing the need for clarification.

what's the reason for that

Rephrases the question to directly ask for the reason behind something.

what are the reasons behind that

Asks for a comprehensive list of reasons influencing a situation.

what's the rationale for that

Similar to "what's the logic behind that", but more formal.

how come that's so

Uses a more informal tone, asking for an explanation in a casual manner.

what's the cause of that

Specifically seeks the cause, implying a direct relationship between cause and effect.

what explains that

Seeks the underlying factors that account for a particular situation.

what's the logic behind that

Asks for the rationale or reasoning that supports a particular situation.

why is this happening

Focuses on the cause of an event or occurrence, rather than a general situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "why is that the case" after stating a fact or observation that requires further explanation. For example, "The company's profits have declined this quarter. Why is that the case?"

What are some alternatives to "why is that the case"?

Alternatives include "what's the reason for that", "how come that's so", or "what explains that", depending on the formality and context.

Is "why is that the case" formal or informal?

"Why is that the case" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal alternatives might include "why is that so?" or "how come?". A more formal alternative could be "what is the reason for this situation?"

Can "why is that the case" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "why is that the case" is appropriate for academic writing, especially when posing a question that requires analysis or investigation. It's a clear and direct way to ask for an explanation.