"Since when have you had this?"

Question

Hi, I need help with this sentence"Since when have you had this?"I read it in a book and I know it's correct, but why it can't be "Since when do you have this?"? Is it because of past perfect?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

anonymouspast perfect?

No. There is no past perfect tense anywhere in your example. That is 'had had', not 'have had' or 'has had'.

anonymouswhy it can't be "Since when do you have this?"?

Because it's wrong like that.

When you have a since-phrase of time that tells when something started, like you have here, you have to use the present perfect. You cannot use the present.

Since when do you have this? Present tense. Wrong.
Since when have you had this? Present perfect tense. Correct.

Likewise,

I have had this since last Monday.
Marilyn has had that coat since 2014.
Paul has lived in Chicago since he was a child.
Mr and Mrs Brown have taught this English class since they were married.

CJ

"Since when have you had this?"

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