how much does it /did it cost?

[nelson13]

hi I 've got a question about tenses.

If somebody has just had a hair-cut, I usually ask him: how much did it cost?

the past tense, because the event is past, but could I say'how much does it cost?'?

would it be strange in meaning?would it alter the meaning?

 

[bhaisahab]

hi I've got a question about tenses.

If somebody has just had a hair-cut, I usually ask him: how much did it cost?

the past tense, because the event is past, but could I say 'how much does it cost?'? No.

Would it be strange in meaning? Would it alter the meaning?

Stick with the past tense.

 

[nelson13]

Thank you.

For the capitalizaiton, I didn't make it, because the SHIFT key on my computer is not easy to use. Sorry for that.

 

[emsr2d2]

You could use "How much does it cost?" when you are talking about a general fact. If you know that your friend always gets his hair cut at the same barber's (hairdressers), then you might be able to say "You always get your hair cut at Luigi's! How much does it cost?" That way, you are not talking about the cost of one particular visit, but you are asking about the prices.