When did he go there?

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

Two people talking to each other on a Sunday morning:

A: My brother has gone to Moscow to visit his family for this weekend.
B: So he's coming back this evening?
A: Yes.
B: And when did he go there? Friday evening?

Does "did he go" work here to ask about the beginning of his trip/travel?

 

[jutfrank]

When did he leave? Friday night?

 

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

When did he leave? Friday night?

I also thought about it : )

I'm just wondering, does "When did he go there?" even work?

I remember I was watching a YouTube video where a man was teaching a woman Russian while translating everything he says into English (so that she could understand the meaning and practice further).
They were taking a walk, and at one point, after saying a phrase describing their actions at that moment, he translated it into English as “We went for a walk”, the girl asked him “went?”. He's a professional teacher and he had lived in the U.S. for many years before that but he didn't even understand the question. I didn't understand her surprise either but that was the only thing she asked back.
Now many years later, it seems to me I have understood why that was the only thing she was puzzled by. But still, there are many occasions in English, when you use the past tense for an action that is still true. The closest example, I think, is this: you want to know if your friend has an umbrella with him right now, and you ask "Did you take your umbrella?", I don't think you'd ever choose "Are you taking your umbrella?" in such a situation, even though you're interested if he has it with him right now.

 

[jutfrank]

I'm just wondering, does "When did he go there?" even work?

Don't simply ask what works or doesn't work. The question is how well something works. Your goal should be to use whatever works best.

"Did you take your umbrella?"

Did you bring your umbrella?

I don't think you'd ever choose "Are you taking your umbrella?" in such a situation

No, that wouldn't make sense.

 

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

Don't simply ask what works or doesn't work. The question is how well something works. Your goal should be to use whatever works best.

Agreed. But sometimes it wouldn't hurt to know if something works at all.

Did you bring your umbrella?

Yeah, still the past tense. By the way, before I typed that, I'd searched and found this (link):
"So you can use both! Personally, in British English, I'd say 'take an umbrella', but it could possibly be more polite to say 'bring an umbrella'."

 

[jutfrank]

By the way, before I typed that, I'd searched and found this (link):

I can't access that link.

"So you can use both! Personally, in British English, I'd say 'take an umbrella', but it could possibly be more polite to say 'bring an umbrella'."

No, that's not right. It has nothing to do with politeness or personal style—it's about meaning. If you're with the person, you need 'bring'.