People communicate by asking a series of questions and answering them the same. These questions are asked in the form of wh formed word questions.
Key Takeaways
- โHow comeโ is used informally, while โwhyโ is used in formal and informal contexts.
- โHow comeโ is used to ask a question about something surprising or unexpected, while โwhyโ is used to ask for the reason or cause of something.
- โHow comeโ is more colloquial and is used mostly in spoken English, while โwhyโ is more formal and can be used in both spoken and written English.
How Come vs. Why
โHowโ is an adverb that is used to ask about the manner, method, or process by which something is done or accomplished. It can also be used to ask about the condition, quality, or extent of something. โWhyโ is an adverb that is used to ask about the reason, purpose, or cause of something. It can also be used to express surprise or disbelief.

The word โhow comeโ is used when someone wants to know how some circumstance had occurred in a sentence. This word is used as an interrogative form in a sentence.
The word โwhyโ is used in a sentence to know why something occurred to someone or something at a particular time by a person.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | How Come | Why |
---|---|---|
Meaning | The word โhow comeโ is used in a sentence to know how something happened. | The word โwhyโ is used in a sentence to know the purpose of something that happened. |
Usage | The word โHow comeโ can only be used in an Interrogative way. | The word โwhyโ can be used as an interrogative word as well as an adverb. |
Inversion | Inversion of a sentenceโs subject and verb does not occur when the word โhow comeโ is used. | Inversion of subject and verb does occur when the word โwhyโ is used in a Sentence. |
Type of communication | The word โhow comeโ is often used in informal communication. | The word โwhyโ is commonly used informal communication. |
Use | The word โhow comeโ cannot be used in accenting or making suggestions. | The word โwhyโ can be used in accepting or making suggestions. |
What is How Come?
The word โhow comeโ is used when someone wants to know how some circumstance had occurred in a sentence. This word is used as an interrogative form in a sentence.
This word is observed to be used in informal communication. There is no need to invert the subject and the verb in a sentence where the word โhow comeโ is used.
Following are some examples where the word โHow Comeโ is used in a sentence-
- How come you are late today?
- How come they didnโt attend the party yesterday?
- How come she left the part that day?
- Why were you at the same place where the incident occurred that day?
What is Why?
The word โwhyโ is used in a sentence to know why something occurred to someone or something at a particular time by a person. This word can also be used as an adverb in a sentence referencing something or someone.
This word may also be used in a sentence to express a feeling of arrogance or annoyance to someone in particular circumstances. Sometimes, this word is also used for making suggestions or agreeing with someone elseโs recommendations in a sentence.
Following are some examples where the word โWhyโ is used in a sentence-
- Why canโt you sit down quietly?
- Why canโt we take this route while traveling?
- Why is there so much fog ahead?
- Why is this class so dull?
- This is why I hate her.

Main Differences Between How Come and Why
- The word โhow comeโ is often used in informal communication; however, the word โwhyโ is commonly used in everyday communication.
- The word โhow comeโ cannot be used in accenting or making suggestions; on the other hand, the word โwhyโ can be used to accept or make suggestions.

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.