Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[muni]

daer all
if I see my friend after 2-3 days ,can I say that " where u have been"or should I say that "where have you been"

when can I say to a person that "where were you"

[obelix]

"Where have you been?"
If you say this to your friend, whom you haven't seen for a couple of days, it implies that you were expecting to hear from her sooner.

"Where were you?" would be used (for example) when you were supposed to meet your friend at the railway station at 3 o'clock and she didn't show up. Next time you see her you might say, 'I was there at 3 o'clock, "where were you?"'
Or, " I looked everywhere for you, where were you?"
If she arrived late, you could ask "Where have you been?"(looking at your watch.)