Translation
why
Examples
?
Why are you coming?
fecisti?
Why did you do this?
riserit.
I do not know why he laughed.
?
Why do you not answer?
Dic taceas.
Tell me why you are silent.
asks for a reason and normally stands first in its clause. The answers it invites are , and for "because", and , propterea and for "and that is why".
The mood rule is the important one. A direct question takes the INDICATIVE ( ?), but an indirect question after a verb of knowing, asking or telling takes the SUBJUNCTIVE: riserit, taceas. The archaic spelling is quor, and the parallel question word is transparently , "on account of what thing". Its sharper cousin asks "why not?" with a push behind it, and is usually closer to an order than a question.
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cur: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "cur" (why): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 4.