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Picnic Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
How long...
I read in an English grammar book that when you want to ask someone how long he has been working in something i need to ask : "How long have you been..." i think it applies only if he is still working in the same job.
but I saw in a movie that someone say: "How long do you serve..."
And from what i understand from the book its forbidden to ask "How long do you"
what are the differences?
but I saw in a movie that someone say: "How long do you serve..."
And from what i understand from the book its forbidden to ask "How long do you"
what are the differences?
Top answer
" However, not all constructions of this type will be idiomatic. " sentence.
- " However, not all constructions of this type will be idiomatic.
- " sentence.
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5 Answers
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Yes, if you are asking about a period of time starting in the past and lasting until now, you should say "How long have you ...", not "How long do you..."
Sometimes "How long do you..." can be used to ask about future events; for example, "How long do expect to be?" However, not all constructions of this type will be idiomatic. It can also be used to ask about typical or habitual events,
Sometimes "How long do you..." can be used to ask about future events; for example, "How long do expect to be?" However, not all constructions of this type will be idiomatic. It can also be used to ask about typical or habitual events,
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Mr WordyYes, if you are asking about a period of time starting in the past and lasting until now, you should say "How long have you ...", not "How long do you..."
Sometimes "How long do you..." can be used to ask about future events; for example, "How long do expect to be?" However, not all constructions of this type will be idiomatic. It can also be used to ask
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Picnicthere is another way to ask:Sorry, I don't understand your question very well. Do you want to know if there is another way to ask "How long have you..."?
"How long have you" what about it?
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No.
I know there is "have been" but what does "have" without "been" means
I know there is "have been" but what does "have" without "been" means
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"How long have you...?" is simply a more generic pattern than "How long have you been...?", reflecting the fact that "you" may be followed by the past participles of other verbs too. For example:
"How long have you known this?"
"How long have you had this cough?"
etc.
It's essentially just the same as the difference between, say, "I've been married for ten yea
"How long have you known this?"
"How long have you had this cough?"
etc.
It's essentially just the same as the difference between, say, "I've been married for ten yea
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