Why do we say how come?
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Why do we say how come?
The Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary says “how come” is “used to ask why something has happened or is true.” It is a short form of “how did it come about that.” The dictionary also says the expression is usually found in the United States and is used in casual speech.
Is how come correct English?
It doesn’t look very grammatically correct, but it’s certainly standard informal parlance. This is informal spoken English. Common and perfectly undertandable. It should be avoided in formal written English (unless, of course, it is in a description of an informal conversation).
Is how come Formal?
How come is not used in formal writing or speech; it is distinctly casual.
How come formal or informal?
‘How come’ is more informal than ‘why’ “How come” is considered to be more informal than “why.” The OED labels it as colloquial, and you’re more likely to see it on Twitter than in a corporate annual report.
How come vs How comes?
Both are used, one more than the other; but, grammatically speaking, which is the correct one?…English translation: how come.
| SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 +15 | how come | Mark Berelekhis |
| 4 +4 | how come (Standard English) vs. how comes (stigmatized) | Michael Powers (PhD) |
What is the difference between come and comes?
Come is used with plural subjects in the present simple tense. Comes is used with singular subject in the present simple tense.
Is how come bad English?
Originally Answered: Is “how come” proper English? Yes, it is fully grammatical. The use of “how come” as a form of question is very ancient; it goes back to Middle English, if not beyond.
Is it how comes or how come?
Both are used, one more than the other; but, grammatically speaking, which is the correct one? Explanation: ‘How comes’ gets 300,000k google hits for 3 million of “how come.” And many of the hits for “how comes” are British related, so perhaps there’s a connection there.
What are the three forms of come?
Conjugation of verb ‘Come’
| V1 Base Form (Infinitive): | To Come |
|---|---|
| V2 Past Simple: | Came |
| V3 Past Participle: | Come |
| V4 3rd Person Singular: | Comes |
| V5 Present Participle/Gerund: | Coming |
How do you use come?
Use “come” to talk about the movement to the place where the speaker or listener is.
- Verb Forms: Come (Simple Present) – Came (Simple Past) – Come (Past Participle), Coming (Present Participle)
- Examples: Bring me your umbrella to me, please.
- Examples: Take your dog away from me!
What is the meaning of “how come?
Well, ”how come” is believed to be short for “how did it come about that,” “how is it that,” or “how comes it.” For example, here’s a line from the British poet Edmund Spencer’s “Sonnet 30” that uses the older, longer phrase:
Is the word “how come” more informal than “why”?
Although the word “how” has had a sense of “why” in its meaning for hundreds of years, “how come” is still considered to be more informal than “why.” A listener named Barbara wrote in wondering about the phrase “how come.” She wrote:
When did Americans start using the phrase ‘how come’?
Americans started using the phrase “how come” in the mid-1800s. It comes from older phrases such as “how comes it that…?” Although the word “how” has had a sense of “why” in its meaning for hundreds of years, “how come” is still considered to be more informal than “why.”
Is it correct to say “people” or “do”?
The correct word is “do.” Here’s a trick to help in the future. It’s a question, so the subject and verb are reversed. Get rid of the question word and swap them: Since people is plural, you can then replace it with a plural pronoun: At this point, it should be easy to decide which one to use. 8 clever moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.