American English: Have you ever come to Taipei before?

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sitifan

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Taiwan
Current Location
Taiwan
1. Have you ever been to Taipei before?
2. Have you ever come to Taipei before?

#1 is correct. Is #2 also acceptable in American English if the speaker and listener are both in Taipei?
 
I can't think of a context which would call for number two.
 
Acceptable and understood if both are currently in Taipei.
 
You could clear things up by using visited.
 
1. Have you ever been to Taipei before?
2. Have you ever come to Taipei before?

Number 1 is correct. Is #2 also acceptable in American English if the speaker and listener are both in Taipei?

Yes, it's fine, but #1 is more likely.
Start all sentences with capital letters.
 
I would accept #1 in that post.
Personally, I'd spell out the first # and delete the second altogether. But I didn't want to be too picky. (Just picky enough.)
 
For me, even if both the speaker and the listener are in Taipei, sentence #2 is still unnatural (even if it is grammatical and understandable). I'd use either "Have you ever been to Taipei before?" or "Have you ever been here before?"
 
For me, even if both the speaker and the listener are in Taipei, sentence #2 is still unnatural (even if it is grammatical and understandable). I'd use either "Have you ever been to Taipei before?" or "Have you ever been here before?"
I think of it more as unlikely than unnatural. However, Sitifan, you're warned: Don't use it!
 
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1. Have you ever been to Taipei before?
2. Have you ever come to Taipei before?
3. Have you ever gone to Taipei before?
In British English only #1 is acceptable. In American English, if the speaker and listener are not in Taipei, #1 and #3 are possible. If they are in Taipei, #1 and #2 are possible. Do native speakers of American English agree with me?
 
I agree with you, but if we were both in Taipei I'd prefer "Have you ever been here before?" as it is much more natural. (Cross-posted with Charlie.)
 
1. Have you ever been to Taipei before?
2. Have you ever come to Taipei before?
3. Have you ever gone to Taipei before?
In British English only #1 is acceptable. In American English, if the speaker and listener are not in Taipei, #1 and #3 are possible. If they are in Taipei, #1 and #2 are possible. Do native speakers of American English agree with me?
No. Number one is natural and common. Number three may be possible, but it's hard to imagine why someone would say it. Number two is weird. Nobody would be likely to say it under any circumstances.
 
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. 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?
They're possible, but been is much more likely. If you want to sound natural, just use that and forget about the others.
 
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