American English: Been To Vs. Gone To ?

ForumsGrammar & Sentence Structure
  •  0
  •  2,561
+3
1. Have you ever been to Singapore?
2. Have you ever gone to Singapore?
3. I have been to Singapore many times.
4. I have gone to Singapore many times.
#1 and #3 are correct. Are #2 and #4 also acceptable in American English?
1 2
Comments  
2 and 4 are acceptable and only slightly less common than 1 and 3

The only difference is that you can't use 2 and 4 if you are physically in the place being refered to
So if you asked, 'Have you ever gone to Singapore before?' while actually standing in Singapore, you'd get a funny look from a native speaker of American English.
All are correct and acceptable in American English.
CJ
Students: Are you brave enough to let our tutors analyse your pronunciation?
John: Have you ever gone to Singapore?

Mary: No, I have never _________.

(A) gone (B) gone there

Which choice is correct?
John: Have you ever been to Singapore?

Mary: No, I have never __.

(A) been (B) been there

Which choice is correct?
Both are correct. If you leave out there, it's understood anyway.
(Same answer for both gone and been.)
CJ
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
If I'm physically in Singapore, can I say "I have come to Singapore many times"?
sitifanIf I'm physically in Singapore, can I say "I have come to Singapore many times"?

Why not?

come to, traveled to, been in, seen, or visited. All of these verbs, and others, are possible. Not gone to -- unless you've forgotten where you are when you say it!

CJ
1. He has been in Singapore for many years.

2. He has been to Singapore for many years.

I think #1 is correct. Is #2 also acceptable?
Site Hint: Check out our list of pronunciation videos.
Show more

Answer this Question

Guides