What brought you here? vs What brings you here?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What brought you here?' is used when asking about the reason or cause that led someone to a place in the past. 'What brings you here?' is used when asking about the reason or purpose for someone's current presence at a place.

Last updated: April 02, 2024 • 1848 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about the reason or cause that led someone to a place in the past.

"What brought you here?"

This phrase is used to inquire about the reason or cause that brought someone to a place in the past.

Examples:

What brought you here in the first place?
I wonder what brought him here at this time of night.

Show examples from the web [+]

So? Tell me, what brought you here?
So what brought you here?
Soojung, what brought you here?
What brought you here?
And you, what brought you here?
What brought you here?
So what brought you here?
So what brought you here?
So, what brought you here?
What brought you here? It's midsummer madness.
Has it ever occurred to you to question What brought you here?
Is that what brought you here?
May I ask what brought you here?
Toh, so what brought you here?
Well, what brought you here?
Can I ask what brought you here?
So, what brought you here?
So, what brought you here?
And you, what brought you here?
Is this what brought you here?

Alternatives:

Why did you come here?
What was the reason for your visit?
How did you end up here?

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about the reason or purpose for someone's current presence at a place.

"What brings you here?"

This phrase is used to inquire about the reason or purpose for someone's current presence at a place.

Examples:

What brings you here today?
I'm curious, what brings you here at this time?

Show examples from the web [+]

So... What brings you here?
Jonas, what brings you here?
Sir, what brings you here?
Sunderland, what brings you here?
But, what brings you here?
Mike, what brings you here?
Anyway, what brings you here?
Nolan, what brings you here?
Cady, what brings you here?
Katie, what brings you here?
Monsieur Rossi, what brings you here?
Inspector, what brings you here?
Child, what brings you here?
Commander, what brings you here?
Agent Viola, what brings you here?
But, what brings you here?
Mr. Sung what brings you here?
So, Abby, what brings you here?
But... what brings you here?
Detective? May I ask what brings you here?

Alternatives:

Why are you here?
What is the purpose of your visit?
What made you decide to come here?

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