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Which is suitable?(a) Why / How / When do you come to school?(b) Why / When were you late for school? (c) Why / Where did you buy this shirt?

Sam1947 · Accepted Answer

A. Any of those are correct, depending on what you mean. Why do you come to school? (e.g., to learn? because your mother makes you? Because you want to gain a degree to get a good job?

How do you come to school? (e.g., by bus? in your own car? someone drops you off at school? you ride the train?)

When do you come to school? (On Monday, Wed., and Thursday?, At 8 a.m.? When you have classes?)

B. Why were you late for school? That is asking for the reason you were late.

When were you late for school? That is asking at what point in time were you late for school, e.g., yesterday, last Tuesday, etc.

C. Why did you buy this shirt? (Asking for a reason...because you liked it? because it was on sale? because your mother told you to?)

Where did you buy this shirt? (Asking for the place where you purchased it...At the Gap? At Walmart? At Nordstroms?)

So, all of them are suitable, it just depends on what you are trying to convey or ask.

Vincent Teo · Answer

Thanks, I'm a bit clear. Can I answer like this way:

(a)A: When were you late for school?

B: On Monday. / At 8.oo a.m.

(b)A: When do you come to school?

B: On Monday / At 8 a.m.

Sam1947 · Answer

Yes, all of the above are correct.  Usually, when one answers the "When were you late?" question, one would just say, "Monday," or "Last Monday."  A time is not usually added, although you might say, "Last Monday.  I didn't get there until 8:30."

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