“Have been to/in” or “have gone to”? That’s easy!

“Have been to/in” or “have gone to”? That’s easy!

“Have been to/in” or “have gone to”? That’s easy! Here you are three sentences where you could clearly see the difference between these three forms:

He has been to Barcelona. (=He has gone and come back.)

He has been in Buenos Aires for a year. {=He lives there.}

He has gone to Toledo. (=He hasn’t come back yet.)

Now let’s practice a little bit. Fill in the blanks with have been to, have been in or have gone to in their correct form.

• I ………………………. (never) Cambodia, but I might include it on my itinerary next year.

• Mrs. Bates ………………………………. Cologne. She won’t be back for at least three weeks.

• Nick …………………………… Wales for three years now, studying for his degree.

• Why don’t you ask Clare about the tropics? She …………………………………. Thailand.

• He ………………………….. visit his father. I’m afraid you’ve just missed him.

Answer key

I have never been to Cambodia, but I might include it on my itinerary next year.

Mrs. Bates has gone to Cologne. She won’t be back for at least three weeks.

Nick has been in Wales for three years now, studying for his degree.

Why don’t you ask Clare about the tropics? She has been to Thailand.

He has gone to visit his father. I’m afraid you’ve just missed him.

Would you like to know when to use “especially” or specially”? Or when to use “afraid”, “frightened”, or “scared”? What is the difference between “lie” and “lay”? Also boost your fluency with these 25 work collocations! Just remember, practice makes perfect!