Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (239 page)

Who's your friend?
Who is that following along behind you?
J
OHN
: Hi, Tom. Who's your friend? T
OM
: Oh, this is my little brother, Willie. J
OHN
: Hi, Willie
.
Looking at the little dog almost glued to Bob's pants cuff, Sally asked, “Who's your friend?
”

why
a sentence opener expressing surprise. (
Why
is pronounced like the name of the letter
Y
.)
“Why, it's just a little boy!” said the old sea captain
.
B
OB
: Why, what are you doing here? M
ARY
: I was going to ask you the same thing
.
M
ARY
: Why, your hair has turned white! A
NDREW
: No, I'm in the school play. This is just temporary
.
R
ACHEL
: Why, this page is torn! A
NDREW
: I didn't do it!

why don't you?
a question that can be added to the end of a command.
A
NDREW
: Make a lap, why don't you? B
OB
: Okay. Sorry. I didn't know I was in the way
.
“Just keep bugging me, why don't you?” threatened Wally
.
A
NDREW
: Try it again, why don't you? S
UE
: I hope I get it right this time.

Why not? 1
.
Please explain your negative answer.
M
ARY
: No, you can't. J
ANE
: Why not?
S
UE
: Could I have another piece of cake? M
ARY
: No. S
UE
: Why not? M
ARY
: I want it
.
2
.
I cannot think of a reason not to, so yes.
B
OB
: You want to go to see a movie next Friday? J
ANE
: Why not?
F
RED
: Do you feel like wandering over to the bowling alley? T
OM
: Why not?