Where have you been or where were you?

[Jamilion]

If someone I know was absent, then I saw him suddenly, what I must say..

Where have you been or where were you?

When I should use one of them instead of the other ?

Thank you.

Jam
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We are always looking for a miracle but the things we are used to seeing are more miraculous than those we are looking for.

[Skrej]

Either one is correct and acceptable.

However,be aware both sound a little bit demanding. If you know the person well enough, it'd would be okay to use them, but I wouldn't use them with people I didn't know well, or say, my boss or a teacher.

I can't help but hear my mother's voice echoing in my head with those exact same questions , countless times when I was a child and didn't make it home as soon as my mother thought I should have, or if I had gone off without telling her first. :)

Usually, she'd proceed the question with my full name, including my middle name. Any time a parent uses your full name, it's always a clear indication something's about to hit the fan.
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Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
***

[Jamilion]

[Natasha81]

If you accidentally bump into a person you have not seen for a long time, “Where have you been” is the most appropriate, I believe.
“OMG, I can’t believe my eyes!! Where have you been? I have not seen you for ages.”

“Where were you” is usually used in context. “Where were you yesterday/last week/when I was looking for you?

[Kitosdad]

"Any time a parent uses your full name, it's always a clear indication something's about to hit the fan." :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Isn't that the truth!
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Jamilion]

Natasha thank you very much your way is very clear .. and I'm thankful to my friend Dad and Skrej

By the way.. Where have you been Skrej.. I haven't seen you for long time, And you Dad where were you?

Thank you.
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We are always looking for a miracle but the things we are used to seeing are more miraculous than those we are looking for.

[Jean.Remi]

"How are things? I didn’t see you for ages."
"She’s been to the bank yesterday."

Apparently something is wrong with this sentence but I cannot put a finger on it... Can someone help me find the correct tense and why is it used in this context?

Thank you

[Jean.Remi]

ooops I should have written... "these sentences"....

[Alan]

Hi Jean,

[Jean.Remi]

Thank you Alan.

Could you also help me with these 2 other sentences?

"I waited for the bus when the bomb exploded"
"She’s been to the bank yesterday."

Thanks

[Alan]

Hi,

The first sentence should read: I was waiting ..... wen the bomb exploded.

The second sentence I have already explained.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Jean.Remi]

thanks
the second sentence was the following one. I didnt realize I had put the same one twice.

A: Where are you from?
B: I’m coming from Egypt.

[Alan]

Hi,

That should be: I come from Egypt.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice