Is using "why" to mean "the cause of an effect" incorrect?

Question

I've seen it used this way.

E.g.,

"Investigators are still trying to determine why the building collapsed."

"We're trying to determine why your car won't start."

"Doctors are trying to figure out why he is stunted."

Answer 1

Dear Ethan,

No, using "why" to suggest "the cause to an effect" is not wrong. However, I wonder if you are not also asking a deeper question about addressing prompts in a way that addresses the causality behind them, too. If that's the case, use of "why" or "how" both seem appropriate in one's answers to such prompts. With causality, you'll be looking at what spurred a certain result to follow. "Why" in the examples you shared also suggest figuring the roots of problems, as in "Root Cause Analysis." And that RCA often suggests there are several "whys" a thing occurs.

I hope this helps address your question!

Answer 2

Hello Ethan,

The use of "why" in the ways you listed are correct. Using "why" is basically just a short way of saying "the reason why".

Eg:

1. "We are trying to determine (the reason) why your car won't start."
2. "Doctors are trying to figure out (the reason) why his growth was stunted."

Best,

Liang