student asking question

Can I say "what make you think" instead of "why do you think" in this context?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Unfortunately no. Even though these are both rhetorical questions, this actually changes the meaning of the sentence. "Gene, why do you think I came back?" indicates that Gene knows the answer to her question: that she likes him for who he is and doesn't want him to change. "Gene, what makes you think I came back?" indicates that she wouldn't come back because she is angry with him. Ex: What made you think that I would ever go to the dance with you? Ex: Why do you think I'm going to the dance with you? It's because I like you!

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