会 and 是。。。的

[Yezze]

So while talking to my friend this came up.

为什么他们会生气？ vs 为什么他们是生气的？

From what I understand both are grammatically correct, but the 2nd one just isn't said. Anyone want to verify this, elaborate, or correct what i think?

Thanks.

[creamyhorror]

Instead of the second I would say 他们是为什么生气的？ I think the second is wonky.

[Yezze]

By wonky, is it not grammatically correct, or just something people don't say.

[aristotle1990]

Or just 他们为什么生气了.

[creamyhorror]

By wonky, is it not grammatically correct, or just something people don't say.

Incorrect, I think. Can't explain though.

[daofeishi]

To me, "为什么他们是生气的？" sounds ungrammatical, and that's because "X是生气的" doesn't sound right. I think the reason is that 生气 is a verb phrase, 生(v)气(n), and you don't generally use 是...的 with verb phrases, except when 是...的 is used to indicate time (e.g. 你是什么时候到北京的)

The correct way to ask would be "他们为什么生气？"

[JonBI]

It is because the Shi and De pattern doesn't work so well with 为什么, rather it works better with 疑问代词 words, 什么，怎么，哪，哪儿，谁。

[siqi_cn]

为什么他们会生气？ You don't know why do they get angry after something happen.

For example, they get angry after you tell something happy to them. You may ask the others 为什么他们会生气？

为什么他是生气的？ You don't know why they are angry now.

Just like, you go home, find your mother doesn't be happy.You should ask others by 为什么他们是生气的？

[daofeishi]

It is because the Shi and De pattern doesn't work so well with 为什么, rather it works better with 疑问代词 words, 什么，怎么，哪，哪儿，谁。

That's not quite right, is it? “月球为什么是圆的？” and “血为什么是红的？” are perfectly valid questions :huh: