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Hoister Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Where have you been/where were you
I'd like to know why present perfect tense is used. Does "where were you" work? Someone says that "Where were you" is accusatory. Is it the reason simple past isn't used? Thanks~
The conversation of a young couple at the table next to us was wafting over to us mixed with
the clang of their bracelets and their hipster jargon–the Bayside Ramblers
were having a secret show at the House of Blues.
A: “Josh, did you hear that? I love them. Can we go?”
B: “Who are they?” I was not in the know.
A: “Are you kidding? They’re like the next big thing around here. Where
have you been?”
Source: How To Disappear Completely, novel.
The conversation of a young couple at the table next to us was wafting over to us mixed with
the clang of their bracelets and their hipster jargon–the Bayside Ramblers
were having a secret show at the House of Blues.
A: “Josh, did you hear that? I love them. Can we go?”
B: “Who are they?” I was not in the know.
A: “Are you kidding? They’re like the next big thing around here. Where
have you been?”
Source: How To Disappear Completely, novel.
Top answer
Present perfect is used because B is not 'in the know' right up to the moment of the conversation. Simple past would be wrong. The idea with this idiomatic expression is that B must have been somewhere very isolated not to have heard of the Bayside Ramblers until now.
- Present perfect is used because B is not 'in the know' right up to the moment of the conversation.
- Simple past would be wrong.
- The idea with this idiomatic expression is that B must have been somewhere very isolated not to have heard of the Bayside Ramblers until now.
- By the way, both verb forms may or may not be accusatory.
- It depends on context and the tone of voice.
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2 Answers
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Present perfect is used because B is not 'in the know' right up to the moment of the conversation. Simple past would be wrong. The idea with this idiomatic expression is that B must have been somewhere very isolated not to have heard of the Bayside Ramblers until now.
By the way, both verb forms may or may not be accusatory. It depends on context and the tone of voice.
By the way, both verb forms may or may not be accusatory. It depends on context and the tone of voice.
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