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Hrsanei Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Present perfect or past simple

Hi.

When of the students was absent previous session, which tense should be used?

a. Where were you?

b. Where have you been?

I think the first one is always true and the second option can be true when the student has been absent for several consecutive sessions.

I would be grateful if you could tell your opinion abou it.

Thanks
  

Top answer

When a student absented himself from the class for one day or for many days, he could be asked WHERE WERE YOU (FOR FOUR DAYS)? Not WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN (FOR FOUR DAYS)? Abootty Kerala India

— O.ABOOTTY

  • When a student absented himself from the class for one day or for many days, he could be asked WHERE WERE YOU (FOR FOUR DAYS)?
  • Not WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN (FOR FOUR DAYS)?
  • Abootty Kerala India
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5 Answers
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When a student absented himself from the class for one day or for many days, he could be asked WHERE WERE YOU (FOR FOUR DAYS)?

Not WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN (FOR FOUR DAYS)?

O.Abootty

Kerala

India
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Thanks Mr. Abooty.

Would you give me a situation in which where have you been can be used?

Thanks
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Friend

You can ask someone Where have you been? when you do not mention the time? It means 'Where did you go?'

O.Abootty
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I must disagree.

"Where have you been" is suitable whenever the person returns. They could have been missing for three hours or a year.

Once the person is back, and has been back for a long time, then shift to "Where were you?"

Or, if you use a specific time reference, use simple past: Where were you last week?
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Hi Grammar Geek.

Thanks for your response.
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