为何 / 何以
why; how is it that (written 为什么)
Structure
为何／何以 …
What it means
Why; how is it that: written forms of 为什么, built on the classical question word 何.
How it is built
为何／何以 + question, at the start or after the subject: 为何近代科学没有诞生在中国？ (Why was modern science not born in China?)
When to use it
Use them in essays, titles and formal speech; say 为什么 in conversation. 何以 sounds more literary. The same 何 gives 如何 (how), 何时 (when), 何处 (where), 何人 (who).
Watch out
Don’t add 吗: the question word already makes it a question. ✗ 你为何不来吗？ ✓ 你为何不来？ 何以如此 can even stand as a topic: 何以如此，学界尚无定论 (why this was so, scholars have yet to agree).
Examples
为何近代科学没有诞生在中国？
Why was modern science not born in China?
何以如此，学界至今尚无定论。
Why this was so, scholars have yet to agree.
Learn this in Lesson 80 · HSK 6–7: 四大发明 (The four great inventions)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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