At the supermarket.

Hi

Alan went to the supermarket. He found the cashier a familiar face.

Could he say?

You look familiar. Where did I see you before?

You look familiar. Have I seen you before?

You look familiar. Where have I met you before?

Thank you.

blissful said:

Hi

Alan went to the supermarket. He found the cashier a familiar face.

Could he say?

You look familiar. Where did I see you before?

You look familiar. Have I seen you before?

You look familiar. Where have I met you before?

Thank you.

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All are OK.

In my country teachers would say that the most suitable option is Present Perfect.
That, of course, doesn't mean that Past Simple is wrong. = but they wouldn't advise us to use it that way.

Sometimes I get tired when teachers use an excuse that "you wouldn't hear that from native speaker".

spongie said:

In my country teachers would say that the most suitable option is Present Perfect.
That, of course, doesn't mean that Past Simple is wrong. = but they wouldn't advise us to use it that way.

Sometimes I get tired when teachers use an excuse that "you wouldn't hear that from native speaker".

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I respect your teacher's opinion, but in the U.S. you are likely to hear any of the three examples you posted.

spongie said:

In my country teachers would say that the most suitable option is Present Perfect.
That is correct outside the US, and in many places in the US.
That, of course, doesn't mean that Past Simple is wrong. = but they wouldn't advise us to use it that way.
That's as good advice as any, given that you're in Europe. It's also what I'd advise. Unless you are living in the US, where they do use the past tense in this situation, the Present Perfect is the most suitable option.

Sometimes I get tired when teachers use an excuse that "you wouldn't hear that from native speaker".

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Why do you think that is an excuse? Have you considered that sometimes it is the only correct answer to why you use one form over another?

I think I shouldn't use the word "excuse". It's more like it's the easiest answer for them, cosidering that maybe some of them have never really talked with native speakers and this answer is just a way to get out of this question very quickly.

That doesn't mean that I hate my teachers. I hope it didn't sound like that.
Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

You look familiar. Do I know you?
You look familiar. Have we met before?
You look familiar. Where do I know you from?
You look familiar. Where have we met?
You look familiar but I can't work out where from.
You look familiar but I can't place you.
You look familiar. Do you recognise me?

Those would be my suggestions.

As far as the teachers' excuse about native speakers is concerned, I would agree that if your teacher is not a native speaker or does not have an absolutely native level of English as a second language, they really shouldn't say with any authority "you wouldn't hear that from a native speaker".

spongie said:

I think I shouldn't use the word "excuse". It's more like it's the easiest answer for them, cosidering that maybe some of them have never really talked with native speakers and this answer is just a way to get out of this question very quickly.
It could be, or they might answer that way for the reason I gave above.
That doesn't mean that I hate my teachers. I hope it didn't sound like that.
No, you expressed yourself adequately. I don't think any fair-minded and literate person would assume from what you wrote that you hate your teachers. But now that you've brought it up, there's some doubt.
Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

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R.