How long, since when and how long did.

[tufguy]

We ask "How long have you been doing something?" or "Since when have been doing something?" However, do we also ask "Since when did someone start doing something?"

For example "Since when did you start investing in the share market?"

 

[GoesStation]

No. Use "since" with an activity that lasts some length of time. Starting to do something is instantaneous: at one moment you aren't doing it; then you start; now you're doing it. You could say Since when do you invest in the stock market?

 

[Tarheel]

You should delete "Since" in your example sentence.

Do they call it a share market in India?

 

[tufguy]

No. Use "since" with an activity that lasts some length of time. Starting to do something is instantaneous: at one moment you aren't doing it; then you start; now you're doing it. You could say Since when do you invest in the stock market?

Is "Since when you do something" the same as "Since when have you been doing something"?

Do we use "Since when do you do something" for something that someone has been doing over a period of time?

 

[Tarheel]

Is "Since when you do something" the same as "Since when have you been doing something"?

I wouldn't use either one.

Do we use "Since when do you do something" for something that someone has been doing over a period of time?

Could you post an example sentence of that usage?

Perhaps:

How long has it been since you were in school?

 

[tufguy]

Perhaps:

How long has it been since you were in school?

Jonatha: I invest in stock market.

Jim: You never told me that. "How long do you invest in stock market?" Or " How long have you been investing in stock market?"

 

[probus]

Jonathan I invest in the stock market.

Jim: You never told me that. "How long do you invest in stock market?" :cross:Or "How long have you been investing in the stock market?":tick:

 

[Tarheel]

Tufguy, when responding to something we don't normally repeat everything the person said. (See below.)

Jon: I invest in the stock market.
Jim: Really? How long have you been doing that?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

We ask, "How long have you been doing something?" or "Since when have you been doing something?" However, do we also ask, "Since when did someone start doing something"?

For example: "Since when did you start investing in the stock market?"

Yes.

"When?" and "Since when?" mean different things.

"When?" is a simple question:

- When is dinner?
- When did you get home?

"Since when?" strongly implies surprise or, sometimes, anger:

- Since when do you smoke cigars?
- Since when do you care where I go after work?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is "Since when did you do something?" the same as "Since when have you been doing something"?

No. You know about continuous verbs.

Do we use "Since when do you do something" for something that someone has been doing over a period of time?

Yes.

Again, "Since when" tells us you're surprised. Don't use it if you're not.

 

[Tdol]

Do we use "Since when do you do something" for something that someone has been doing over a period of time?

Only if we have only just learned and/or are surprised.

 

[emsr2d2]

Only if we have only just learned and/or are surprised.

That's certainly how it's most often used in BrE.

Helen: I won my tennis tournament on Sunday.
Sarah: Since when did you play tennis?!

The tone of voice would make it clear that Sarah had no idea that Helen even played tennis, let alone that she was good enough to win a tournament. The tone of voice and the words used are what result in the interrobang (a question mark and an exclamation mark together) in the written version.

 

[tufguy]

That's certainly how it's most often used in BrE.

Helen: I won my tennis tournament on Sunday.
Sarah: Since when did you play tennis?!

The tone of voice would make it clear that Sarah had no idea that Helen even played tennis, let alone that she was good enough to win a tournament. The tone of voice and the words used are what result in the interrobang (a question mark and an exclamation mark together) in the written version.

So we can either say "Since when do someone do something?" or "Since when did someone do something?". Am I correct?

Does using "do" and "did" make any difference?

 

[emsr2d2]

So we can either say "Since when do someone do something?" or "Since when did someone do something?" no full stop here Am I correct?

Does using "do" and "did" make any difference?

Well, of course, "do" can't be used before "he/she/it". I would say that the present tense is more likely in the surprise version.