Been to vs Gone to

Been to vs Gone to:  What's the difference? Is there a difference?

Consider these two sentences:

1.     He’s been to India.

2.     He’s gone to India.

Been/Been to

First, what is "been"?  Been is the past participle of the verb "be".

We use been to when we went somewhere and came back.

• He’s been to India. (He went to India and he came back. He’s not in India now.)

• Jamie has been to Rome. I am sure she can recommend some places to visit. (Jamie went to Rome before but now she’s back.)

• I haven’t seen you in school since last week. Where have you been? (You went somewhere and now you’re back.)

Gone/Gone to

First, what is "gone"? Gone is the past participle of the verb "go".

We use gone to when we went somewhere and we are still there now.

• He’s gone to India. (He went to India and he’s still in India now.)

• Mary has gone to the airport because her aunt is coming. (Mary went to the airport and she’s at the airport now.)

Check Your Understanding

1. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

a. I have been to Turkey.

b. He's gone to Turkey.

c. Both a and b

d. Neither a or b

2. We use "gone to" to describe when we went to a place and are still there.

a. True

b. False

3. My sister has _____________ to the supermarket twice today and both times she forgot to buy milk.

a. been to

b. gone to

4. My husband has ______________ to New York on a business trip and will be back this weekend.

a. been to

b. gone to

5. Have you ever ______________ Mexico?

a. been to

b. gone to

Answers:

1. c

(both are grammatically correct. The first means I went to Turkey and came back. The second means he went to Turkey and is still there).

2.  a

3.  a

4.  b

5.  a

1. Home Page
 ›
2. Grammar Main Page
 ›
3. Been to vs Gone to