Sentence Correction

[Ferdie Formanes]

Hi,

Can you please correct the sentence below.

"What are you taking so long?" - this kind of related to "Why does it take so long."

Thanks in advance.

[OddThomas]

Either (a) or (b) is wrong: What (a) are you taking so long (b)?

(a): What should be why.

(b): Add an infinitive phrase, or something similar, that says what you are doing for so long.

Repaired sentences:

(a): Why are you taking so long?

(b): What are you taking so long to do? Or, What are you taking so long for?

Notice that why=for what. Why are you taking so long? = For what are you taking so long? = What are you taking so long for?

[Ferdie Formanes]

Either (a) or (b) is wrong: What (a) are you taking so long (b)?

(a): What should be why.

(b): Add an infinitive phrase, or something similar, that says what you are doing for so long.

Repaired sentences:

(a): Why are you taking so long?

(b): What are you taking so long to do? Or, What are you taking so long for?

Notice that why=for what. Why are you taking so long? = For what are you taking so long? = What are you taking so long for?

Hi Odd,

Can you give me another sentences with the same meaning of (a) and (b) in your repaired sentences?

Many Thanks,

[OddThomas]

Why are you working so hard?

What are you working so hard on? ...at?

And,

Why are you talking so loud?

What are you talking so loud about?

[Ferdie Formanes]

(a): Why are you taking so long?

(b): What are you taking so long to do? Or, What are you taking so long for?

Hi,

Can you also explain to me the meaning of the sentences above. Thanks in advance.

[OddThomas]

Both ask why you need so much time.

(a) asks for what reason?

(b) asks what are you doing?