"Where were you" or "Where have you been"?

[just.learning]

Does anyone know if there's a rule deciding when to use "where were you" and "where have you been"?

I'm looking for a solid grammatical rule, that destincts the two from each other; if there is a auch - not just everyday talk.

From what I've learned, you always use "where were you?" when addressing someone who didn't show up for sceduled appointment. Are there any other such rules?

Kind regards!

 

[Raymott]

Does anyone know if there's a rule deciding when to use "where were you" and "where have you been"?

I'm looking for a solid grammatical rule, that destincts the two from each other; if there is a auch - not just everyday talk.

From what I've learned, you always use "where were you?" when addressing someone who didn't show up for sceduled appointment. Are there any other such rules?

Kind regards!

You use "Where were you" (past tense) when you're referring to a specific time in the past, as in your example.
You use "Where have you been", when you mean "until now", or non-specifically.
It's the usual past / present perfect rule.