Learn English – “can you tell me why to do?” & “can you tell me why not to do?” these two Questions only can replace by meaning of should & shouldn’t

word-choiceword-usage

I think these two questions are ok to use with Should & Shouldn't and it's same meaning

can you tell me why to do? = can you tell me why I should do?
can you tell me why not to do = can you tell me why I shouldn't do?

"can you tell me why to do?" this means only can be "can you tell me why I should do?" ?

what if I want to use them as below

can you tell me why to do? = can you tell me why I do?
can you tell me why not to do = can you tell me why I don't do?

is it possible?

Thanks in advance 🙂

Best Answer

You have not given complete sentences beginning with capital letters. Therefore I feel free to add to your examples a little in A.

A.

Can you tell me why to do? (incorrect)

Can you tell me why to do it would be wrong? (possible but not idiomatic)

Can you tell me why I should do? (incorrect)

Can you tell me why I should do it? (correct and idiomatic)

B.

can you tell me why to do? = can you tell me why I do? (incorrect and not equivalent)

can you tell me why not to do = can you tell me why I don't do? (incorrect and not equivalent)

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