4.26 'why'

'Why' is used to ask a question about the reason for something.

• Why are you here?
• Why does Amy want to go and see his grave?
• Why does she treat me like that when we're such old friends?

'Why' is sometimes used without a subject and with the base form of a verb, usually to ask why an action is or was necessary.

• Why wake me up?
• Why bother about me?
• Why make a point of it?

'Why not' can be used with the base form of a verb, in order to make a suggestion or to ask why a particular action has not been taken.

• Why not end it now?
• Why not read a book?
• If it was Haldeman, then why not say so?