been to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has visited a place or experienced an event in the past. Example: "I have been to Paris three times and each visit was unforgettable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I've been to proms.

The New York Times

"I'd been to Europe.

Independent

I've been to them.

Independent

I've been to confession!

The New Yorker

"You've been to Camden?

The New York Times

Just been to China.

The New Yorker

I've been to Zuccotti Park.

The New York Times

Ever been to Hollywood?

The New York Times

I've been to college.

The New Yorker

They have been to museums.

The New York Times - Sports

We've never been to Venice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been to", ensure the context clearly indicates a past visit or experience. For example, "I have "been to" Italy" indicates a past trip, while "I am going to Italy" indicates a future trip.

Common error

Avoid using "gone to" when you mean "been to". "Gone to" implies someone is currently at a location and hasn't returned, while "been to" indicates a past visit. Example: "He has gone to the store" (he is there now), vs. "He has "been to" the store" (he visited in the past).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been to" functions as a past participle used with an auxiliary verb (have, has, had) to form the present perfect or past perfect tense. It indicates a completed action or experience at some point in the past. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been to" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction to express a past experience of visiting a place. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage. While "gone to" indicates a current presence, "been to" signifies a completed visit. Synonyms like "visited" or "traveled to" can add variety. Remember to avoid saying "I "been to"..." and instead use "I have "been to"...". It is appropriate in neutral contexts such as conversations and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visited

A more formal and direct way of saying someone has gone to a place.

gone to

Similar meaning, but implies the act of going rather than the state of having been there.

traveled to

Emphasizes the act of traveling and the distance covered.

toured

Suggests a more extensive exploration of a place or region.

spent time in

Focuses on the duration of the visit rather than just the act of being there.

sojourned in

Implies a temporary stay, often used in a more literary or formal context.

experienced

Broader than just visiting, includes the overall impression or events happened while there.

frequented

Indicates regular visits to a place.

set foot in

Emphasizes the physical act of entering a place, sometimes used when the visit is rare or significant.

patronized

Implies being a customer or supporter of a place or establishment.

FAQs

How do I use "been to" correctly in a sentence?

Use "been to" to indicate that someone has visited a place or experienced something in the past. For example, "I have "been to" Paris several times" or "Have you "been to" that new restaurant yet?"

What's the difference between "gone to" and "been to"?

"Gone to" implies someone is currently at a location and has not yet returned. "Been to", on the other hand, indicates that someone visited a place and has since returned or moved on. Example: "She has gone to the library" (she's there now), vs. "She has "been to" the library" (she visited it at some point).

Are there any synonyms for "been to" that I can use to vary my writing?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "visited", "traveled to", or "experienced". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I "been to"...?"

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct form requires an auxiliary verb, such as "have" or "has". The correct phrasing would be "I have "been to"..." or "He has "been to"..."