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Why couldn't I do it vs Why I couldn't do it

The correct phrase is "why couldn't I do it". In English, the word order for questions is typically subject-auxiliary verb-main verb. Therefore, the auxiliary verb 'couldn't' should come before the subject 'I'. The second phrase, "why I couldn't do it", is not correct as it does not follow the standard question structure.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 4214 views

Why couldn't I do it

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is the correct way to form a question in English, with the auxiliary verb 'couldn't' before the subject 'I'.
  • So why couldn't I do it?
  • So why couldn't I do it?
  • That's why I couldn't do it.
  • Why couldn't I just - why couldn't I just do it?
  • Why I couldn't do it?

Why I couldn't do it

This phrase is not correct in English.

This phrase does not follow the standard question structure in English, where the auxiliary verb should come before the subject.
  • That's why I couldn't do it.
  • Why I couldn't do it?
  • Why I couldn't do nothing about it?
  • Which is why I couldn't let him do it... full of bursting...
  • So why couldn't I do it?
  • Why couldn't I just - why couldn't I just do it?
  • So why couldn't I do it?

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