"why did you come" vs "why do you come"

Question

"why did you come" vs "why do you come"

The phrases "why do you come" and "why did you come" are not directly comparable because they are in different tenses. "Why do you come" is in the present tense, while "why did you come" is in the past tense. The choice between the two depends on the context of the conversation and whether you are referring to a current or past action.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Use this phrase when you want to know the motive behind someone's past arrival or visit, for example, "Why did you come to the party last night?"

Alternatives:

Why did you arrive?
What brought you here?
What was your reason for coming?
Why did you show up?
Why did you come over?

To ask about a current action, you should use the present tense, such as "Why do you come here every day?"

Alternatives:

Why do you come here?
Why are you coming?
Why do you usually come?
Why do you come so early?
Why do you come alone?

Answer 1

why did you come

This phrase is correct in standard English. It is used to ask about the reason for someone's past action.

Answer 2

why do you come

This phrase is not correct in standard English. It mixes present tense ("do you come") with a question about a past action.

"why did you come" vs "why do you come"

why did you come

why do you come

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