Use the present perfect, often with ever and never, to talk about experiences in a period from the past until now, such as a person's life. The unit also separates gone (still there) from been (there and back).
A A time from the past until now
Josh: Have you been to Paris? Amara: Yes, I have. Lots of times. Josh: Have you ever been to Brazil? Amara: No, I've never been to Brazil.
Use the present perfect (have been / have had / have played etc.) when the time is from the past until now: for example, a person's life so far.
| past | ... time from the past until now ... | now |
|---|---|---|
| Have you ever been to Brazil? |
- "Have you been to Italy?" (in your life) "No, I haven't."
- We've been to Belgium, but we haven't been to Holland.
- My uncle is an interesting man. He has had lots of different jobs and has lived in four countries.
- I've met that man before, but I can't remember his name.
- How many times have Wales won the Six Nations?
- "Have you seen this film?" "Yes, I've seen it three times."
B ever and never
Use ever in questions: Have you ever ...? means at any time in your life.
Use never in positive sentences with a negative meaning: I've never ... means at no time in my life. Do not add not: I've never already does the job.
once = one time. twice = two times.
- "Has Kirsty ever been to Canada?" "Yes, once."
- "Have you ever played darts?" "Yes, I play every Friday."
- My grandad has never been on a plane.
- I've never ridden a motorbike.
- "Who's that woman?" "No idea. I've never seen her before."
C gone and been
Fiona asks: "Where's Rob?" Her friend says: "He's away. He's gone to Spain."
Two weeks later Rob is back. He says: "Hi, Fiona. I've been on holiday. I've been to Spain."
| meaning | |
|---|---|
| Rob has gone to Spain. | He is in Spain now. |
| Rob has been to Spain. | He went to Spain, and now he is back. |
- I can't find Tom. Where has he gone? (= where is he now?)
- Oh, there you are, Tom! Where have you been? (= you went somewhere, and now you are back)
Exercises
17.1 You are asking Rosa questions beginning Have you ever ...? Her answers are given. Write the questions.
(Edinburgh?) Rosa: No, never.
Have you ever been to Edinburgh?
Have you ever been to Edinburgh? No, never.
(play / cricket?) Rosa: Yes, many times.
Have you ever played cricket?
Have you ever played cricket? Yes, many times.
(Ireland?) Rosa: No, never.
Have you ever been to Ireland? No, never.
(miss / a flight?) Rosa: Yes, once.
Have you ever missed a flight? Yes, once.
(ride / a camel?) Rosa: No, never.
Have you ever ridden a camel? No, never.
(eat / sushi?) Rosa: Yes, a few times.
Have you ever eaten sushi? Yes, a few times.
(London?) Rosa: Yes, twice.
Have you ever been to London? Yes, twice.
(drive / a lorry?) Rosa: No, never.
Have you ever driven a lorry? No, never.
(break / your arm?) Rosa: Yes, once.
Have you ever broken your arm? Yes, once.
17.2 Write sentences about Rosa, using her answers in Exercise 17.1. Then, from number 5, write about yourself: how often have you done these things?
(London) Rosa ...
Rosa has been to London twice.
Rosa has been to London twice.
(Ireland) Rosa ...
Rosa has never been to Ireland.
(sushi) Rosa ...
Rosa has eaten sushi a few times.
(drive / a lorry) Rosa ...
Rosa has never driven a lorry.
(London) I ...
I've been to London many times.
(play / cricket) I ...
I've never played cricket.
(ride / a camel) I ...
I've never ridden a camel.
(be / late for work or school) I ...
I've been late for work a few times.
17.3 Dorothy is 74 years old, and she has had a busy life. What has she done? Write a sentence with the present perfect for each pair of words.
(have / a lot of pets)
She has had a lot of pets.
She has had a lot of pets.
(live / in five different countries)
She has lived in five different countries.
(climb / Ben Nevis twice)
She has climbed Ben Nevis twice.
(visit / most of the castles in Wales)
She has visited most of the castles in Wales.
(write / a book about birds)
She has written a book about birds.
(meet / the King)
She has met the King.
17.4 Put in gone or been.
gonebeen
Sanjay is in Portugal at the moment. He's gone there for a wedding.
Sanjay is in Portugal at the moment. He's gone there for a wedding.
"Where's Chloe?" "She isn't here. I think she's to the post office."
"Where's Chloe?" "She isn't here. I think she's gone to the post office."
Hi, Mark! Where have you ? Have you to the gym?
Hi, Mark! Where have you been? Have you been to the gym?
"Have you ever to Iceland?" "No, never."
"Have you ever been to Iceland?" "No, never."
The neighbours are away this week. They've camping.
The neighbours are away this week. They've gone camping.
There's a new Thai restaurant on the high street. Have you to it?
There's a new Thai restaurant on the high street. Have you been to it?
Liam knows Cardiff well. He's there lots of times.
Liam knows Cardiff well. He's been there lots of times.
Amy was here a minute ago, but I think she's home now.
Amy was here a minute ago, but I think she's gone home now.