why
advA word you use when you want to know the reason for something.
nounThe reason or cause that something happens.
"why" does not follow standard phonics patterns and should be memorized.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: WH Digraph
WH at the start of a word usually sounds like /w/, like in 'when' and 'what'.
In most American English, 'wh' sounds the same as 'w'. It appears at the beginning of question words (who, what, when, where, why) and other common words.
Tip
WH asks questions — when, what, where, why!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Y as Long I
When Y is at the end of a short word, it says long I, like in 'fly' and 'cry'.
When Y appears at the end of a single-syllable word, it makes the long I sound /aɪ/. Examples: fly, cry, by, my, sky, dry, try.
Tip
Y at the end of a short word says I — fly, cry, sky!
Examples
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