If you asked me if I have any milk and I answered you ' Yes, I've been to the shops today' or ' Yes, I've been to the shops on Monday, Tuesday, yesterday and today' both answers would be grammatically correct, right? But if I answered ' Yes, I've been to the shops yesterday', it just doesn't right, why ?
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I've been to...
- Thread starter Starman
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apex2000
Senior Member
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- Nov 6, 2005
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Yes, I've been to the shops today - is correct.
Yes, I went to the shops on Monday, Tuesday and yesterday - is correct because that is in the past, so past tense.
Yes, I went to the shops on Monday, Tuesday, yesterday and again today - would be correct because the past and present are not confused with the addition of 'again' which clarifies that 'today' visit is in the past. Or 'yesterday and also today'. Better English.
Lastly the confusion is between 'to be' and 'to go'. So the correct way would be "I went to the shops" adding yesterday, last week, Monday as appropriate.
I have been shopping, and, I went shopping are both correct because the verb then in use is 'to shop'.
Yes, I went to the shops on Monday, Tuesday and yesterday - is correct because that is in the past, so past tense.
Yes, I went to the shops on Monday, Tuesday, yesterday and again today - would be correct because the past and present are not confused with the addition of 'again' which clarifies that 'today' visit is in the past. Or 'yesterday and also today'. Better English.
Lastly the confusion is between 'to be' and 'to go'. So the correct way would be "I went to the shops" adding yesterday, last week, Monday as appropriate.
I have been shopping, and, I went shopping are both correct because the verb then in use is 'to shop'.
Thanks for both your comments, its starting to make alot more sense now
I still have a few reservations though. I know by saying ' I've been to Turkey last year' is wrong, but I cansay ' yes, I've been to Turkey' or ' ye, Ive been to the UK before', in both scenarios I am speaking of something I've done in the past yet both statements sound correct.
I still have a few reservations though. I know by saying ' I've been to Turkey last year' is wrong, but I cansay ' yes, I've been to Turkey' or ' ye, Ive been to the UK before', in both scenarios I am speaking of something I've done in the past yet both statements sound correct.
apex2000
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2005
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- UK
- Current Location
- Wales
I have been to Turkey.
I went to Turkey. (not: I have gone to Turkey!)
In the first case with 'to be' the fact is clear and stands on its own, although you can supplement it with various information: on holiday, lots of times, but not recently, on my birthday (any year) etc.
In the second case with the 'to go' you are more likely to refer to a specific time: last week, to visit my friend on her birthday, for a sailing lesson etc.
So different verbs are used.
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