0
Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Ask as stative verb

"How old are you ? "
"Why do you ask ?"
Why is "ask" used as a stative verb in the above context ?
  

Top answer

Debpriya De used as a stative verb It's not stative. I think you mean something else, like "used in the simple present tense". It is simply idiomatic to ask the question that way.

— CalifJim

  • Debpriya De used as a stative verb It's not stative.
  • I think you mean something else, like "used in the simple present tense".
  • It is simply idiomatic to ask the question that way.
  • " as a special idiom in English.
  • I don't know why we say it that way.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
Debpriya Deused as a stative verb
It's not stative. I think you mean something else, like "used in the simple present tense".

It is simply idiomatic to ask the question that way. It means the same as "Why are you asking?"

Think of "Why do you ask?" as a special idiom in English. I don't know why we say it that way.
0
0
I think this happens because ask is a performative verb (verbs whose action is performed when uttering the sentence)

"I ask you how old are you"

Other examples:
"I apologize for not being more honest"
"I insist that you come with me."

This verbs use present simple (instantaneous present), even when the listener refers to them and he is not the per
0
0
Can other verbs be used this way too ?
For example, "Why do you laugh ?"
0
0
Laugh is not a performative verb because it doesn't carry an action.

Why are you laughing? (the action is not in the utterance of the sentence)

Performative verbs are verbs which describe and represent an action at the same time:

I predict that it will rain. (the action predict refers to is performed by uttering the word)
I forbid you to smoke in he
0

Related Questions