Wherefore vs. Why — What's the Difference?

For what purpose or reason; why.

For what reason or purpose

Therefore.

(with reference to a reason) on account of which; for which

A purpose or cause

Expressing surprise or indignation

Why, for what reason, because of what.

Used to add emphasis to a response

Therefore.

A reason or explanation

(archaic) Because of which.

For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive

An intent or purpose; a why.

The reason, cause, or purpose for which

For which reason; so; - used relatively.

Usage Problem On account of which; for which.

For what reason; why; - used interrogatively.

The cause or intention underlying a given action or situation

The reason why.

A difficult problem or question.

The cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'

Used to express mild surprise, indignation, or impatience.

For which reason;

(interrogative) For what cause, reason, or purpose.

Introducing a complete question.

Introducing a verb phrase (bare infinitive clause).

Introducing a noun or other phrase.

(relative) For which cause, reason, or purpose.

(fused relative) The cause, reason, or purpose for which.

Reason.

An exclamation used to express pleasant or unpleasant mild surprise, indignation, or impatience.

For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; - used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1.

For which; on account of which; - used relatively.

The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; - used as a compound relative.

A young heifer.

The cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'

Question word; what is the reason (`how come' is a nonstandard variant);