why not?

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase why not?

Meaning

You can say this to show you agree with a suggestion or accept an offer.

For example

  • "Do you want to go for a walk?"
    "Sure, why not? It's a beautiful day."

  • "Would you like to share a taxi?"
    "Yeah, why not? No point wasting money."

Note:
Used here as a rhetorical question, but "Why not?" can also be used to ask a question, as in, "I'm not going to work today." "Why not?"

Quick Quiz

Brad said, "Let's go dancing," and Angie said, "Why not?"

a. Angie didn't want to go

b. Angie wanted to go

c. Angie changed her mind
a) Angie didn't want to go b) Angie wanted to go c) Angie changed her mind

Contributor: Matt Errey