【问】 the reason that与the reason why到底哪一个是规范用法?

【答】 规定语法学家反对使用the reason why来代替the reason that。但事实上，the reasonwhy不仅普遍用于文学著作和语法著作，而且也为各类考试所认可。这说明这种用法不仅受到人们的欢迎，而且已进入标准英语。请考察下面的例句：

1. There was no very definite reason why she should do so. (Dreiser)

她为什么这样做没有非常确定的原因。

2. That is no reason why you should leave. (Bennet)

这不是你要走的原因。

3. The reason why we are late is that our car did not come. (Hill)

我们来晚的原因是我们的汽车没来。

4. The reason ____ I’m writing is to tell you about a party on Saturday.

A. because B. why

C. for D. as(Nelson，250A)

5. The reason why he died was lack of medical care. (LCAD)

他死的原因是缺乏医疗。

6. The reason why he was driving so fast was that he was late for an important meeting.

他车开得这么快，是因为他要参加一个重要的会议，而他却要迟到了。

7. The reason why the pound is declining in value against the dollar is that American interest rates are being kept so high. (RWRT)

英镑对美元的比价在下跌的原因，是美国保持着很高的利率。