been VS went

Question

Can you say this if you're no longer in NYC and are currently in Indiana.

I say:

I been to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC.

VS

I went to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC.

Are both OK?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Can you say this if you're no longer in NYC and are currently in Indiana.

I say:

I been to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC. 'I been' is not a valid English tense.
Would you like to try to correct it, and then repost?

I went to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC. Yes, you can say this in Indiana.

Bebop · Answer

CliveCan you say this if you're no longer in NYC and are currently in Indiana.I say: I been to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC. 'I been' is not a valid English tense. Would you like to try to correct it, and then repost?I went to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC. Yes, you can say this in Indiana.

Is this better:

I've been to a few nice restaurants like this one in NYC.

Clive · Answer

Yes.
And OK in Indiana.

What do you think is the difference between the two tenses?

Bebop · Answer

So, they're both OK?

One is present perfect tense and the other is simple past.

But why is the present perfect tense OK when NYC was a past occurrence?

Clive · Answer

Consider a slightly simplified example.
eg I have been to NYC.
This means:
I visited NYC in the past. (one or more past occurrences)

I am not in NYC now.
I have knowledge about NYC.

OK? Or do you need more explanation?

Clive

been VS went

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