How old were you when it happened? or How old were you when did it happen??

How old were you when it happened? vs How old were you when did it happen?

The correct phrase is 'How old were you when it happened?' The second phrase, 'How old were you when did it happen?', is incorrect because it contains a redundant 'did' after 'when.' The correct structure is 'when it happened,' without the additional auxiliary verb.

Last updated: March 29, 2024

How old were you when it happened?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to inquire about the age of a person at the time a specific event occurred.

Examples:

How old were you when it happened? I was only five years old.
I can't remember how old I was when it happened.
How old were you when it happened to you?
She asked me how old I was when it happened.
Do you know how old she was when it happened?

How old were you when did it happen?

This phrase is incorrect in English due to the redundant 'did' after 'when.'

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How old were you when it happened? vs How old were you when did it happen?