I've been to Japan three times, and <every time it was amazing> vs <it hasn't disappointed me>

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Tony_M

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Sep 17, 2024
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Ukrainian
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Ukraine
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Ukraine
Hello.

The dialogue is mine.

A: Where are you going on vacation?
B: I don't know yet. What country would you recommend?
A1: Japan. It's a great country. I've been to Japan three times, and every time it was amazing.
OR
A2: Japan. It's a great country. I've been to Japan three times, and it hasn't disappointed me.

A1. I've been to Japan three times, and every time it was amazing. -> The speaker is thinking about the present result: "The present total is three times." Using "every time" is shifting focus from the present to the past, making the simple present the more preferable option. The speaker is referring to every time as a separate specific event in the past.

A2. I've been to Japan three times, and it hasn't disappointed me. -> The first part is identical to A1, but then the speaker is thinking about the present result again: "Now I think the country is amazing -> Why? Because Japan hasn't disappointed me [so far] or [up to now]." There are two actions that have present relevance; the speaker is not referring to the past.

Is my understanding correct?

Thank you.
 
A1. I've been to Japan three times, and every time it was amazing. -> The speaker is thinking about the present result: "The present total is three times." Using "every time" is shifting focus from the present to the past, making the simple present (1) the more (2) preferable option.

1. ... simple past?
2. Delete 'more'.
 
It's not necessary.

If something is preferable to something else it's the one you prefer.
 
When you're comparing two things, you prefer one thing to the other, which means that you like it more than the other thing. Therefore, it's illogical to say that you prefer something more than another thing.

I like A more than B.
I prefer A to B.
 
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