Who, what, when, where or why — no matter what aspect of English you’re studying, escaping those pesky question words is nearly impossible. Still, you’ll want to know how to use them in various contexts, such as in the question, “Why might this be the case?”
If someone asks “why might this be the case?” they’re asking you to justify yours or someone else’s reasoning. The word “might” implies that the answer may not be direct. Instead, you need to make an inference based on evidence. The question “Why might this be the case?” is synonymous with asking for an explanation about why something might be true.
“Why might this be the case?” is a familiar question, especially in academic contexts. If you’d like to learn more about what this question and other similar questions mean, keep reading.
Understanding “Why Might This Be The Case”
“Why might this be the case” is a question consisting of the phrase “be the case” (source). This phrase is synonymous with “be so.” Therefore, “why might this be the case?” also means “why might this be so?”
In this context, you can infer that the word “so” also means “true.” So if someone asks you, “why might this be the case?” they’re asking you why what you or someone else may have said previously is factual or accurate.
You’re likely to encounter this question often in academic contexts. This question helps encourage students to think critically, differentiating it from “why is this the case?”
Later in this article, we’ll also discuss how the words “might” and “is” make a significant difference to this seemingly simple question.
Breaking Down “Why Might This Be the Case”
Each word in “why might this be the case” is essential in communicating the intended question and encouraging an explanatory response.
The Adverb “Why”
“Why” is an adverb, a word that often modifies a verb, and you’ll often hear and use it as a question word. Essentially, “why” is a word you use to refer to the reason, purpose, or cause of something. For example:
- Why are you here?
- Person 1: I don’t think it’s a very good book.
- Person 2: Why?
The speaker uses “why” as a question word at the start of a sentence. The speaker is asking for the reason why someone is present.
So, when someone is asking, “Why might this be the case?” they are trying to obtain a reason or explanatory response from you whereby you make an inference regarding why a statement may be true.
The Verbs “Might” and “Be”
“Might” is an auxiliary verb and the past tense form of “may,” referring to something that could happen.
- I might have to agree with you there.
- She might have read it already.
You’ll never write anything definite after “might.” You would also not use “might” when referring to something you know is not true.
If someone asks you a question with the word “might” — why might, what might, who might, etc. — think of it as asking you for a reason or information that could be true to your knowledge.
“Be” is also an auxiliary verb, and while its meaning can be complex, it almost always shows a relation between two things:
- You are going to be sorry.
The above sentence claims you will experience regret — for an unknown reason.
Essentially, “be” links the first part of the sentence to the latter. Regarding “why might this be the case,” the verb “be” connects a “why” question to the context of your answer or reasoning.
The Pronoun and Determiner “This”
“This” is a pronoun and determiner you can use to refer to a person, concept, item, etc. For example, when writing, you use “this” as a pronoun to refer back to an idea without repeating it.
Using “this” is also a way you might refer to something close to you distance-wise. You would likely use the word “this” to refer to something you’re physically holding, wearing, or is in the general vicinity.
When asking the question, “why might this be the case?” the word “this” refers back to what you or someone else said previously. In this context, you or the person speaking use it as a pronoun to prevent repetition.
For example, imagine this as an essay question:
In the Great Gatsby, many people believe the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams. Why might this be the case?
The word “this” refers to the prior statement and gives your listener context for your question.
“The Case”: Determiner + Noun
Determiners are words that you use before nouns. However, “the” is a specific type of determiner we refer to as an article. More specifically, “the” is a definite article that comes before a specific noun.
Using “the” in “why might this be the case” shows that the answer relates to a specific case. “Case” has multiple meanings. However, in our context, “case” refers to an instance or situation, such as in the sentences below.
- In that case, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
- As teachers, you should deal with students on a case-by-case basis.
So essentially, “why might this be the case?” is asking, “why might this be the situation?”
Synonyms for “Why Might This Be The Case?”
“Why might this be the case?” may seem like a particularly wordy way to ask a simple question, so here are some substitutions:
- Why could this be true?
- Why is this potentially correct?
“Why Might This Be the Case?” vs. “Why Is This the Case?”
After reading the above questions, the first thing you’ll notice is that one uses “might” and the other uses “is.” The only other difference here is the verb “is.”
As we stated earlier, “might” is the past tense form of the auxiliary verb “may” (source). But, “might” and “is” are very different.
“Might” is similar to “maybe.” When you use it in a sentence, you say there is a chance of something, but it isn’t definite. For example, take a look at the sentences below.
- She might throw a party.
- Kara knew she might regret it, but she did it anyway.
“Is,” on the other hand, is the third-person present singular tense of the verb “be.” The word “is” is what you use to compare or state something true directly, such as in the examples below.
- Her hair is brown.
- Devon is a little angel.
In the context of “why might this be the case?” think of a professor asking students the question below:
- The melting polar ice caps are bad for the environment. Why might this be the case?
This question does not have a single correct answer, and they haven’t given you one either. Rather, you can come up with multiple answers that could be correct such as:
- It leads to a rise in water levels.
- It affects the planet’s temperature.
- It impacts wildlife.
And chances are you can come up with even more answers either through contemplation or research.
So, rather than asking why “is” something the case, “might” allows you to state a hypothesis (or multiple hypotheses) with reasoning or evidence for the answer you provide.
Using “is” instead of “might” communicates that there is one definitive scenario versus many possible explanations for a single scenario.
Understanding “Why Might That Be the Case?”
“Why might that be the case?” is nearly identical to “why might this be the case? Typically, people will use these in the same contexts, both in writing and speaking. In short, “why might that be the case?” is also asking what might make you believe something is true.
The major distinction comes down to the words “this” versus “that.” However, the reality is that the difference is minimal when it comes to the meaning behind what you or someone else is trying to convey.
This vs. That
“That,” similar to “this,” is a pronoun and determiner. Remember that pronouns are words you use in place of nouns.
- Pronoun: Why is that?
- Determiner: That book is mine.
“This” and “that” may appear interchangeably at times, especially in writing.
- Popeye loves spinach; why is that?
- Popeye loves spinach; why is this?
In the above example, neither sentence is wrong. However, when speaking, it’s essential to understand the difference between using “this” versus “that.”
When you use “this” while speaking, you generally refer to something either on you or nearby.
- This is my favorite book.
- You see, this necklace actually belonged to my mother.
On the other hand, “that” refers to something at a distance.
- “That!” I pointed. “That’s the girl!”
- That necklace looks fantastic on you.
Once again, using them interchangeably at times is acceptable. However, a lot of the time, it isn’t.
For example, these sentences are incorrect:
- That weather is getting me down.
- This shirt you’re wearing looks really lovely.
The reason the above examples are wrong is that the weather is something that surrounds you. Therefore, it is physically close and has a direct impact on you. So it should be “this weather.”
On the other hand, you should refer to “that shirt” because the shirt is on another person, and you’re simply looking at it from a distance.
In short, “why might this be the case?” and “why might that be the case?” are pretty much identical as “this” and “that” both refer back to things that you or someone else has said previously.
However, remember that you should use “that” when referring to something that is physically distant from you when speaking.
So, take, for example, a university professor. They would probably use “why might this be the case?” when asking a question they wrote down on a whiteboard.
On the other hand, they’d probably use “that” to refer to something further away, such as a projected slide or when making a comparison between two questions or situations.
Synonyms for Why Might That Be the Case
If you’re looking for synonyms for “why might that be the case?” you could also say:
- Why could that be true?
- Why is that potentially correct?
And at times, “why might that be the case?” also works.
Understanding “Why Might It Be the Case?”
“Why might it be the case” is another similar phrase, differing as it contains the pronoun “it.” You can use “it” to refer to anything except a human being. However, this is probably the least common form of expression that includes “be the case.”
While it’s not incorrect, other forms tend to sound better on their own. You’re more likely to find this phrase at the start of a question rather than as a standalone question:
- Why might it be the case that readers possess more general knowledge?
- Restaurant reservations tend to fill up in February. Why might it be the case?
In the second sentence, a pronoun like “that” or “this” may sound more natural. But, “why might it be the case” is just another form of the previous questions.
Synonyms for “Why Might It Be the Case”
“Why might it be the case” is synonymous with:
- Why could it be true?
- Why could it be true that
This phrase is also at times synonymous with “why might this/that be the case” and its synonyms:
- Why could that be true?
- Why is that potentially correct?
- Why could this be true?
- Why is this potentially correct?
Understanding Pronouns: That, This, and It
“This,” “that,” and “it” are all useful ways to refer back to something previously mentioned (source).
“This” refers to clauses, sentences, and other parts of a sentence that someone has previously mentioned. In general, “this” is used when you’re referring to something closer to you.
“This” functions similarly, but you would use it to refer to something more “distant” (physically or emotionally.)
Keep in mind that there is some flexibility regarding “this” vs. “that.” They are often interchangeable.
On the other hand, you use “it” to refer to a topic you’ve previously mentioned. It’s a weaker way to refer back to what was previously said. You’ll mainly use “it” to refer to an object, not a living thing. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
If you’d like to know more about pronouns and using “it’s” or “their,” make sure to read the article “It’s or Their: When to Use Each Possessive Pronoun.”
Final Thoughts
“Why might this be the case?” is a helpful question. It forces people to think critically, look back to what someone said previously, and come to their own conclusions. You can use this phrase in various scenarios, but its purpose is to encourage reflection on an idea.