You've been sober how long now?

[thedaffodils]

(House of Cards, American TV drama)

Peter: My chief problem was alcohol.
Journalist: You've been sober how long now?


Is it usual for native speakers to put "how long" behind the subject like that, instead of "how long have you been sober?"

Thank you!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, it is common in informal spoken English.

You've been married how long?
You've been out of prison how long?

 

[lotus888]

I would put "for" in front of "how long."

You've been sober for how long now?



--lotus

 

[MikeNewYork]

"For" is OK, but not needed.

 

[thedaffodils]

Are these okay in colloquial English? Do native speakers say so?


-There are apples on the table how many?

- The T-shirt is how much?


Thank you!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Not the first.

The second is used informally.