How long does it take?

Rachel Adams · Jul 24, 2020

Hello.
Can I rephrase the first sentence and use the second instead?
1. 'How long does it take you to get to work?'
2. 'How long does it take to get to work for you?' Since it's not a general question I should include 'you', shouldn't I?

PeterCW · Jul 24, 2020

The first sentence is the most natural way to ask the question in idiomatic British English.

Yankee · Jul 24, 2020

Actually I like #1 better. In #2 "you" is OK, but talking directly to the listener "for you" would not be necessary.

Rachel Adams · Jul 24, 2020

Yankee said:
Actually I like #1 better. In #2 "you" is OK, but talking directly to the listener "for you" would not be necessary.

If it's clear whom I am asking it's possible to remove the 'you' isn't it? From both sentences. 'How long does it take to get to work.' If I have been talking about my job and the person I am talking to suddenly asks me about it. Maybe it just not quite natural.

emsr2d2 · Jul 24, 2020

Rachel Adams said:
If it's clear whom I am asking, it's possible to remove the 'you' from both sentences, isn't it? [STRIKE]From both sentences.[/STRIKE]

'How long does it take to get to work?'

I mean if I have been talking about my job and the person I am talking to suddenly asks me about it. Maybe it just not quite natural.

Even if you were already talking about your job, the question should still be "How long does it take you to get to work?"

GoesStation · Jul 24, 2020

emsr2d2 said:
Even if you were already talking about your job, the question should still be "How long does it take you to get to work?"

The only time you don't need "you" is if you're talking to a co-worker who you're going to work with.

Rachel Adams · Jul 24, 2020

GoesStation said:
The only time you don't need "you" is if you're talking to a co-worker who you're going to work with.

Or when asking generally 'How long does it take to travel by car from Paris to Milan?'

GoesStation · Jul 24, 2020

Rachel Adams said:
Or when asking generally 'How long does it take to travel by car from Paris to Milan?'

Yes, but you were asking about the specific sentence about getting to work.

Rachel Adams · Jul 25, 2020

GoesStation said:
Yes, but you were asking about the specific sentence about getting to work.

Yes, but at first I thought the personal pronoun can be omitted in the original sentence too. Got it.

How long does it take?

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