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why do you often have a cold? vs why did you often have a cold?

The correct phrase is "Why do you often have a cold?" This is because the present simple tense is used to talk about habits or things that are generally true. The past simple tense, as in "Why did you often have a cold?", would imply that the situation has changed or is no longer true.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

why do you often have a cold?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use the present simple tense when talking about habits or things that are generally true. In this case, the question is asking about a recurring situation of having a cold.
  • Do you have a cold? No.
  • Do you often have milkshakes with strangers?
  • How can you have a cold?
  • Did we establish that you actually have a cold?
  • Sir Lian-Chu, do you often have nightmares?
  • Do you often have fantasies like that?
  • Do you often have a problem controlling your anger, Mr Wilkins?
  • Do you often have trouble telling reality from fantasy, Mrs. Collins?
  • No, I meant do you have a cold?
  • Why did you insist on babysitting him when you have a cold?
  • Mi Reu, you have a cold?
  • No, I meant do you have a cold?
  • Do you often have to hide marks that he put on your body?
  • Do you often have to give Mrs. Landis things to quiet her?
  • I must have a cold coming on.
  • A ghost would have a cold body.
  • Shut up and have a cold bath.
  • I think I'll have a cold bottle of beer.
  • If I have a cold, you cough.
  • Take this medicine when you have a cold.

why did you often have a cold?

This phrase is not correct in this context. The past simple tense implies that the situation has changed or is no longer true.

Avoid using the past simple tense when asking about habits or things that are generally true. Save the past tense for situations that occurred at a specific time in the past.
  • Do you have a cold? No.
  • How can you have a cold?
  • Did we establish that you actually have a cold?
  • No, I meant do you have a cold?
  • Why did you insist on babysitting him when you have a cold?
  • Mi Reu, you have a cold?
  • No, I meant do you have a cold?
  • I must have a cold coming on.
  • A ghost would have a cold body.
  • Shut up and have a cold bath.
  • I think I'll have a cold bottle of beer.
  • If I have a cold, you cough.
  • Take this medicine when you have a cold.
  • You wouldn't be able to go - you'd have a cold.
  • I have a cold and an eye infection.
  • I might have a cold or... or flu.
  • Elsa, I'm thinking you might have a cold.
  • OK, I have a cold.
  • Peter Pan can't have a cold, Dad.
  • I didn't even have a cold.

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