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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
'Why did you not do' vs. 'Why didn't you do'
Hello there,
About a lyrics' line "Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?",
1. If you put a comma in the line, will it be in here?: "Why, tell me, why did you not treat me right?"
2. Is it also acceptable to say "Why, tell me why didn't you treat me right?" instead?
3. If #2 is correct to say, which sentence do you feel more offensive?
Thank you very much for your help.
About a lyrics' line "Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?",
1. If you put a comma in the line, will it be in here?: "Why, tell me, why did you not treat me right?"
2. Is it also acceptable to say "Why, tell me why didn't you treat me right?" instead?
3. If #2 is correct to say, which sentence do you feel more offensive?
Thank you very much for your help.
Top answer
Hi, 1. You say this line is taken from a song. Since I am not the original songwriter, I cannot voice my opinion here.
- Hi, 1.
- You say this line is taken from a song.
- Since I am not the original songwriter, I cannot voice my opinion here.
- Your question is not a question of grammar.
- Most often, grammar rules do not apply to songs.
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2 Answers
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Hi,
1. You say this line is taken from a song. Since I am not the original songwriter, I cannot voice my opinion here.
Your question is not a question of grammar. Most often, grammar rules do not apply to songs.
Punctuation of songs is subject to the songwriter's viewpoint. I hate to disappoint you, but I cannot make
a judgment about this matter. Sorry.
2. Yes.
3.
1. You say this line is taken from a song. Since I am not the original songwriter, I cannot voice my opinion here.
Your question is not a question of grammar. Most often, grammar rules do not apply to songs.
Punctuation of songs is subject to the songwriter's viewpoint. I hate to disappoint you, but I cannot make
a judgment about this matter. Sorry.
2. Yes.
3.
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Thank you very much for your detailed and kind answer!
As for #1, I was just wondering, why isn't the sentence behind "why" an affirmative sentence?
It should be "Why, tell me why you did not treat me right?", but not "Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?".
I just can't explain well, but I know eg. "Do you know when he has come?" is correct to say, not
As for #1, I was just wondering, why isn't the sentence behind "why" an affirmative sentence?
It should be "Why, tell me why you did not treat me right?", but not "Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?".
I just can't explain well, but I know eg. "Do you know when he has come?" is correct to say, not
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