since when...?

[engee30]

Hi there,
I can't work it out - is it possible to ask a question like this?
1. Since when have you lived here?
I have lived here since my birth.

I know that I could say:
2. How long have you lived here?
I have lived here for 30 years.

But is it correct if I answer the question like this:
I have lived here since my birth.

I'm of the opinion that question 1 would be more appropriate to such an answer. But still I don't know whether it is correct to ask such a question.

Waiting for your help.

[Ouisch]

Instead of "since my birth," it would be better to say "I have lived here since I was born."

[Angela27]

Hi there,
I can't work it out - is it possible to ask a question like this?
1. Since when have you lived here?
I have lived here since my birth.
I know that I could say:
2. How long have you lived here?
I have lived here for 30 years.
But is it correct if I answer the question like this:
I have lived here since my birth.
I'm of the opinion that question 1 would be more appropriate to such an answer. But still I don't know whether it is correct to ask such a question.
Waiting for your help.

You would say "How long have you lived here? The answer may be "Since my birth", "Since 1984" or "For 30 years". I wouldn't use "Since when have you lived here?"

As for is it correct to ask such a question, it is not a question you would ask a total stranger but an acquaintance yes (if that's what you mean)

[engee30]

The answers which you and Ouisch provided me with are exactly the ones I was expecting to get. Thank you both.

[MrPedantic]

"Since when..." is quite common in a sarcastic context.

1. Since when have you been interested in politics?

— implication: "frankly, I'm not sure I believe you're interested in politics – certainly I've never noticed!"

Or to express surprise:

2. "Did you know that MissP had moved in with MrQ?" "Really? Since when?"

And I may be imagining it; but it seems to me that "since when" might also be used if you wanted to extract a more precise answer from someone. Cf.

3. "How long have you known the accused?"
4. "Since when have you known the accused?"

It would be quite difficult to answer #4 with anything other than a date; whereas #3 seems to give the answerer more scope for vagueness (e.g. "About 40 years").

MrP

[engee30]

Yes, I have encountered some sample sentences in my dictionary where the meaning was sarcastic in context. And then I started to wonder whether it was possible, and correct at once, to use the same pattern if I wanted to ask about the exact point of time when something began. Now that I have been provided with your reply, I am aware of the fact that I can use such a question. Thank you.

[MrPedantic]

Yes, I have encountered some sample sentences in my dictionary where the meaning was sarcastic in context.

It's a very thorough dictionary – I'm impressed!

MrP

[engee30]

It's a very thorough dictionary – I'm impressed!
MrP

As a matter of fact, I'm using a few thick English-English dictionaries which are all household names. Without them, I couldn't take part in any kinds of discussions on many forums. Besides, with the help of the dictionaries and people like you, sir, I can constantly improve my English. I appreciate it.

[Daruma]

Cambridge Dictionaries Online - Cambridge University Press

Can since when, which is used angrily in speech to ask someone why they believe a situation to be different from how it really is, be used in the present, past, and present perfect tenses?

Example:
Since when are you [were you, have you been] an expert on choosing husbands?

[bhaisahab]

Cambridge Dictionaries Online - Cambridge University Press

Can since when, which is used angrily in speech to ask someone why they believe a situation to be different from how it really is, be used in the present, past, and present perfect tenses?

Example:
Since when are you [were you, have you been] an expert on choosing husbands?

Yes it would work with your examples.