Is it correct to used "How come" instead of "Why" in a sentence?

Question

When is it proper to begin a sentence with "How come?" For example, can you say "How come schools are closed today?" instead of "Why are schools closed today?" Or is it not okay at all?

Answer 1

It's considered colloquial English; OK in casual conversation, but not in formal writing or conversation.

Answer 2

It is not done unless you want to come across as ingorant and unlettered.
Just think about it - when was the last time you saw someone on TV or the movies do this? And was that character the brightest person in the room? Very unlikely.

Answer 3

Not correct English but widely used in the USA.

Answer 4

It is very casual and not correct English. The only time it would be appropriate is if you are writing a story and it is a line being spoken by a character.

Answer 5

How come you want to know this? It doesn't sound like proper english to me.

Answer 6

The Challenge Has Been Contained. is correct ;)

Answer 7

teachers would say use WHY

HOW COME is used more in spoken english, i think teachers would say it is not correct grammar

but when talking i know i use it, its part of modern speech

Answer 8

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19970501 has an interesting explanation of how "How Come" came to be used as an expression.

It is not incorrect, but it is definitely casual, and should not be used over "Why" if you would like to command respect from your audience.

Answer 9

It is only OK in informal speech, not for the written word.

Answer 10

With 'how come' you are expressing your surprise and then wanting to know the reason. With 'why' you are just asking the reason/s straight; you are just exploratory! The two alternatives do not, therefore, seem to be inter-changeble.