English grammar question...
Hi,

Which one is correct and why?

1. How many times have you been abroad?

2. How many times have you ever been abroad?

If 2 is wrong, why is it wrong to use ever in a "how many times have you..." question?

Thank you.

Question

English grammar question...
Hi,

Which one is correct and why?

1. How many times have you been abroad?

2. How many times have you ever been abroad?

If 2 is wrong, why is it wrong to use ever in a "how many times have you..." question?

Thank you.

Answer

the 1st sentence is correct

to express the meaning of the 2nd it would be "Have you ever been abroad? How many times?"

Answer

These have the same meaning, but a native speaker would use the first construction. Both sentences are asking how many times someone has traveled abroad. Have you been abroad? (ever in your whole life) Have you ever been abroad? (In your whole life). 
How many times have you been abroad? (In your whole life).

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