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If I want to ask the reason why something is not red, which sentence is the correct one?

"Why is it not red?" or "Why isn't it red?"

Thank you!

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British English:

  • "Why is it not red?" implies a surprise: usually things of this kind are green.
  • "Why isn't it red?" is more of a question: "For what reason this thing is not red?" (I would have considered it as possible.)
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  • Since you've said this is a difference between BrE and AmE I suppose I can't correct you, but this sounds like splitting hairs to me. I don't see a practical difference between the two.
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Oct 12, 2013 at 22:27

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