Have or having

Question

Supposing that You have a problem from a point in the past to now . And I am asking you this problem.

How long do you have this problem?

How long did you have this problem?

How long have you been having this problem? (have is a state verb, it might not be suitable here)

The answer just struck me.

How long have you had this problem?

How long do you have had this problem?

Are these last 2 answers correct?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Supposing that You have a problem from a point in the past to now . And I am asking you this problem.

How long do you have this problem? No
How long did you have this problem? This means you no longer have it.

How long have you been having this problem? (have is a state verb, it might not be suitable here) This is often said, but it suggests that the problem is intermittent.

The answer just struck me.
How long have you had this problem? Yes, say it this way.
How long do you have had this problem? No
Are these last 2 answers correct?

Clive

Mr Wordy · Answer

~~How long do you have this problem?~~ -- Ungrammatical.

How long did you have this problem? -- This is correct English, but it refers to a period in the past and implies that the person no longer has the problem, so doesn't fit your criteria.

How long have you been having this problem? / How long have you had this problem? -- These are both possible if the person still has the problem. The first version tends to suggest a recurring problem, and the second tends to suggest a continuous problem, though there is some overlap. The second version is more straightforward and more common, and if in doubt you should use that one.

~~How long do you have had this problem?~~ -- Ungrammatical.

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