First world problem. It’s a question from the kid’s school
Q: ……. did the accident happen?
A: It happened because the driver fell asleep.
Which one would you fill the blank with? HOW or WHY?
I think either one is correct, as in having the same meaning.
I would use How as it rhymes to my ears.
But since the answer has “because”, would the correct grammar be Why?
Anyone can enlighten this?
Thanks
About the simplest way it could have been answered. you deserve more upvotes
Depends on who is asking the question.
A victim will more likely be asking why did it happen, while others will be asking how did it happen.
Exactly this, it depends on context and what information the person asking is actually trying to get.
Does the person what to know how it happened or why it happened?
Edit: in that instance it would be “how” because it says “because the driver fell asleep” meaning they’re asking how it happened
The answer gives the cause of the accident.
'Why' asks about the cause.
'How' asks about the way it happened.
Therefore 'Why' is the better solution.
@JimmyF: I provided a hypothetical alternative to aid readers in understanding when 'How' would be the better solution and to illustrate the difference.
'Why' is the better solution to the problem given by the OP and hence the correct answer. That doesn't depend on any further assumptions.
Depends on who is asking the question.
No, it doesn't. When finding the best solution to a problem, one needs to consider all the information given. In this case, the student is challenged to solve for the unknown in the question, given the known answer.
This is for 'how' question. Two kids who are playing a game, in which one asks a question and then process to answer it. If he can answer it, he gets a lollipop, then change turn.
" How did a rabbit dig a hole without throwing mud outside?" Bob asks and then he answers "By digging from inside out".
John gasp "How did it do it?", " I dont that is your question" Bob said.
In this instance, why implies intent. An accident is unintentional by definition.
Why has nothing to do with intent.
Why doesn't the television work? Because the electricity is off.
Why is the floor wet? Because the pipe burst.
Why is the dog wearing an Elizabethan collar? Because he got desexed yesterday.
Why did the accident happen?
Because one car collided unintentionally with another object.
This is just describing what an accident is, not giving any reason. A reason could be because the road was icy and the driver lost control, or because logs fell off the back of a log truck, or because the driver's brakes failed.
Still nothing to do with intent. Are you saying my examples are incorrect sentences? Eg "why isn't the television working…"
Still nothing to do with intent.
Context.
"why isn't the television working…"
That's correct because you do not know why it is not working.
By contrast, we know why the accident happen - it was an accident. The answer was in the question.
@[Deactivated]: What about -
"why did the accident happen?"
-> because the brakes failed
-> because logs fell off the back of a log truck
-> because the road was icy
-> because a dog ran onto the road
-> because a wheel fell off
-> because there was a massive invisible pothole
None of these have intent and yet they manage to answer the question perfectly well.
Another reason why "why" can't only be about intent, is because most of the times you're asking, you won't know whether there is intent or whether it was just an accident. Do you say "why is there a bump on your head", then get an answer, "because I slipped in the shower and banged my head on the wall" and then say "oh sorry my question is invalid if you didn't bang your head into the wall on purpose, please forgive me"
@Quantumcat: So, under the way @tshow would have it, as soon as it contains the word "why" and "accident", the answer is defaulted "because it was and accident"
I don’t know, but the Police seem to spend a lot of time and effort at road accidents to try and find out why it happened (along with the what).
These Police officers can now thank @tshow, because when the courts ask for a reason on why the accident may have happened, they can just tender "it was an accident, and it was unintentional by definition…"
"Why?" is asking for contributing factors. Even accidents can have contributing factors.
…the Police seem to spend a lot of time and effort at road accidents
They call it road collisions for the very reason so as not to make the presumption it was unintentional.
The rest of your comment is based on the oversight above.
because the brakes failed
Why did the vehicle fail to stop?
because logs fell off the back of a log truck
Why was the road obstructed?
because the road was icy
Why did the vehicle loose traction?
because a dog ran onto the road
Why did the vehicle have to make a sudden maneuvre?
because a wheel fell off
Why isn't the wheel on the vehicle?
because there was a massive invisible pothole
Why did the car jerk out of control?
Again, this isn't a grammatical error. I have not any point suggested so. It is a contextual one. If you notice, I did not at any point say that "why" is incorrect.
Ps. Judging from your mad limmericking skills, I wouldn't suggest my linguistic knowledge to be beyond yours.
@pjetson: As traction relates to the tribology between a vehicle's components (typically tyres) and the surface being traversed (typically roads), in this case either is correct.
@Scrooge McDuck: No, loose is an adjective, so it doesn't work in that sentence. This thread is about grammar, and loose is not gramatically correct.
@Scrooge McDuck: It can't be used as a verb in the sentence you've used it in. Lose is the correct word.
@Scrooge McDuck: Loose is the opposite of tight. Lose relates to loss. In your sentence, you are talking about a loss of traction. Lose is the correct word.
Loose is the opposite of tight.
That's one adjectival definition. But most English words have multiple meanings.
Some verbal definitions:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/loose
verb (used with object), loosed, loos·ing.to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
Chiefly Nautical. to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
to make less tight; slacken or relax.
to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.verb (used without object), loosed, loos·ing.
to let go a hold.
to hoist anchor; get under way.
to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often followed by off): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
Obsolete. to become loose; loosen.
Traction refers to the adhesion between a vehicle and a surface. That's certainly something which a vehicle could loose as per one of the above definitions.
@Scrooge McDuck: By your own writings above, loosed and loosing are the verb forms, but your sentence used loose. I think you're just embarrassed to admit that you're wrong.
By your own writings above,
Do you mean my quote from dictionary.com? That's not my own writing.
Alternate forms of the verb are included in the headings. You're confusing that with being definitions for different words, they're all definitions for loose. Please actually read the link provided.
The very text I quoted contained these examples:
to loose a boat from its moorings.
to loose missiles at the invaders.
Here are some more examples from the Oxford Dictionary:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/loose
Scroll down to 'VERB'
Click 'More example sentences' under 1.2
‘The impact hit his knuckles, making him loose his grip and slip downwards.’
‘Suddenly Sara elbowed him in the ribs causing him to loose his grip on her.’
Since you've started playing the man rather than the ball I'll reciprocate. It seems like you're projecting your own insecurity onto me regarding admitting that you're wrong. You wrote, "loose is an adjective" and conceded that it can be used as a verb only 3 min later.
@pjetson: Holy smokes who upvoted this? "Loose" is a verb, "loosed" and "loosing" are giving different tense forms of the word. Have some people never opened a dictionary before?
An accident is unintentional by definition.
I've never understood why most people refer to car crashes as "car accidents".
Some of them are clearly "car on purposes".
HTF.
HT flying F did that happen
Depends on your connotation.
Maybe its to gauge your child, if your child chooses "how" something happened then they become an engineer, if they choose "why" something happened then they become a philosopher :p. Honestly though I'd choose how, but I'd say both answers work without issues.
"Why" provides the reason for the accident. "How" provides the mechanism of the accident.
How did the accident happen? The car drove into a tree.
Why. did the accident happen? The driver fell asleep.
This
All of this. It saddens me that people are even questioning it, and I say that having failed English repeatedly in high school.
How?
why?
Highschool English would be more aptly named Literature.
I cannot plus this more! And I teach the damned subject! Even the new NSW syllabus is the same shit wrapped in a different wrapper. Suprise! Same styled questions! Same styled texts! Same same same same same. It does my head in! Did you know the HSC has not had a review/revamp/restructure since about 94? That's more than 20 years ago!
I'll get my coat now.
Me fail English? That's unpossible
Do you believe in life after lub?
OP the description of your thought process was correct in that the use of the word "because" in the answer requires the question to start with "why". A question starting with "how" doesn't typically have an answer beginning with "because".
How did the accident happen? The car drove into a tree.
Why. did the accident happen? The driver fell asleep.
Why - the tree was in the way. No tree, no collision.
Hypothetical of course. Not a legal defence.
The question is based on understanding of language in its given context, not how to mount a legal defence on how many ways one can interpret it hypothetically.
Blugok hope your kid ends up with the right answer based on reason, if not then maybe He/She can teach us a thing or two
English teacher here. No car, no driver, no accident. Leave the tree alone :)
Impressive explanation
To play devils advocate, what about this option:
How did the accident happen? The driver fell asleep.
Why did the accident happen? The driver was up all night on OzBargain.
The correct answer is 'Why'. 'Because' is supplying a reason. 'Why' is requesting an explanation..
'How' solicits a process - try replacing 'How' with 'In what way', and you'll see that the answer no longer makes sense.
I'm gonna choose why.
If the q was How, then you'd answer it simply by saying: the driver fell asleep.
If someone asks you Why, then you'd say it happened because he fell asleep, eg per example above
Q: WHY did the accident happen?
A: It happened because the driver fell asleep.
Q: HOW did the accident happen?
A: It happened because the car crashed into a tree/another car.
It happened when the car crashed into a tree
No, the wording should be different for how - no "because".
Q. HOW did the accident happen?
A. The driver, being asleep, failed to navigate the turn and the car collided with a tree.
Why - Because reason of accident is given in the answer.
Why did the collision happen?
Because it was an accident.
How did the collision happen?
A car hit another car at "insert direction of impact".
Why did the driver hitting the other car fail to prevent the collision?
Because they were inattentive.
The problem with the answer is the question itself. Why did the accident… Either the why or the accident doesn't belong.
How : Describes the situation.
Why : Finds the cause/reason.
Let me…
Joe: Yo' bro whatsuppp
Joy: Met with an accident
Joe: How did it happen
Joy: There was a car in front of the bus and BOOM.
Joe: But why did driver not stopped the bus.
Joy: Because he fell asleep
Exactly. The third question has the why applied correctly.
It's why. How is the details about the actual incident - i.e. the driver let go of the wheel and the car careered into the tree or what-have-you.
Depends who is asking the question. A victim would say 'why' if they're not comatose.
I hope your Granma is OK after the accident. How did Granpa take it after he woke up?
???
WHY Most definitely .
Why 》》》》 Because
How 》》》 the driver asleep struck the sign then his vehicle's fuel line ignited, which then set fire to a nearby cat … etc
How did you get a bunch of adults to answer a question admittedly intended for kids ?? 》》》 posted it on ozbargain.
**Why did we answer 》》》 because we are bored and like an implied challenge IMO :)
Btw : Did your kid get it right ???
I think we are actually doing the kid's homework.
Mum/Dad, what's the answer to this question?
No idea, let me ask OZB
What's that kids? You need a badly drawn MS Paint photo for your project? I know just the place…
Well, it is a matter of internal dispute between man and woman.
So the last question should be: Who won the bet? 😁
Why did I post this? Because I was bored.
WHERE?
…are the bargains?
OR
…are the prices?
"From whence"
But I don’t see it as a poll option.
(How/Why) I think either one is correct, as in having the same meaning.
Why and How in this situation do not have the same meaning.
"Why" is asking "What were the contributing factors to the accident."
"How" is asking "Give me a description of the incident and what happened."
So, the answer to your post above is "Why". As the answer is giving an account of the contributing factor. ie: fell asleep. The "How" answer would be something like "Driver lost control and car drifted off the road…"
It can be either.
How is the mechanics or process Why is the science or behavioural. How has an answer, why is questionable? Pardon the pun.
It helps to have a question that better shows the differences:
A. “I failed the exam”
B. Why?
A. I didn’t study.
B. How?
A. By not answering all the questions.
How this post become a hot topics is beyond me.
Or is it why?
Assuming it's spoken language, both are fine.
Why you descriptive linguist, you!
There are grammar errors throughout this post.
I think the other parent should help with the kids homework and OP should attend school with the kid.
Help with grammar
talk to grandad
I do not know why, so I voted how instead.
Next forum post:
Why is a high-yield vehicle necessary for my job?
I think it needs a ms paint drawing to make it more clear. It is a car accident after all.
Why. Why was the bus not insured.
Why is Gamora?
Who’s on first?
The correct answer is: WHY
'why?' always gets 'because' as an answer
Why? There is no why