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Vsuresh Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Reason why?

Hi

Please help me with this.

Which is natural?

The reason I am here is to give you this letter.

The reason why I am here is to give you this letter.
  

Top answer

They are both natural. Many prescriptive grammarians and I consider 'why' redundant and poor style.

  • They are both natural.
  • Many prescriptive grammarians and I consider 'why' redundant and poor style.
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4 Answers
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They are both natural. Many prescriptive grammarians and I consider 'why' redundant and poor style.
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Thank you, Mister Micawber

I did think the same. But I think 'why' is essential if we show it as a complex sentence. Am I correct?

(The reason why I am here is to give you this.)
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There is no necessity to show it as a complex sentence; you are going about it grammar-first rather than text-first, which is backward. In any case, an optional 'that' fills the bill: 'The reason (that) I am here is ...'.
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Thank you, Mister Micawber.

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