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sleeper
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 67
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 Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:48 am Post subject: Why don't you ... ? |
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Hi, there!
Today I'd like to ask you about negative 'wh'-questions beginning with 'why'.
Look at the following sentences.
#1. Why don't we give them what they want?
#2. Why don't you write to her yourself?
Some people say that 'Why don't you you [we] ...?' questions can be substituted for 'Let's ...', but is it really possible?
In my opinion, sentence #1 can be substituted for 'Let's ...', but sentence #2 cannot.
What do YOU think?
I'm looking forward to your kind explanation.
Thanks.  |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: |
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| To me, "Why don't we/you...." is a suggestion. Therefore, "Why don't we..." and "Let's" are similar. They are both suggestions for something that you and I can/should do together. However, "Why don't you..." is a suggestion from me to you, and is something you can/should do yourself. Therefore, "Let's..." doesn't fit. |
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