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Tipton Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Been, went, gone confusion

Hi, I have a little conversation here that I need help with

Andy: Is it true that you're French?
Mandy: Yes, but the last time I've been to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old
           Yes, but the last time I've gone to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old
           Yes, but the last time I went to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old 
or

: Yes, but I haven't been to France since I was about 4-5 yrs. old
  Yes, but I haven't gone to France since I was about 4-5 yrs. old
  Yes, but I haven't went to France since I was about 4-5 yrs. old

I've searched the internet a couple of times and lets just say I'm even more befuddled than I ever was, multiple sources, conflicting answers Emotion: headbang

English is my third language, Help!
  

Top answer

Hi, This is my approach. tipton Andy: Is it true that you're French? Mandy: Yes, but the last time I went to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs.

  • Hi, This is my approach.
  • tipton Andy: Is it true that you're French?
  • Mandy: Yes, but the last time I went to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs.
  • old This is a simple past tense answer which is sufficient.
  • You went to France and came back, period.
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9 Answers
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Hi,

This is my approach.
tipton
Andy: Is it true that you're French?

Mandy:

Yes, but the last time I went to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old

This is a simple past tense answer which is sufficient. You went to France and came back, period.

tipton
Ye
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tiptonYes, but I haven't went to France since I was about 4-5 yrs. old

Just an additional note:
"Haven't went" would never be grammatically correct.
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Okay, now I'm having gone/been confusion too.

I thought you love Cape May?
I do, and the sad thing is, I haven't gone/been there since 2003!

Uhhh... am I over thinking this?
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No, you're not over-thinking, Barb. I agree that you could use either haven't been or haven't gone.
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So tipton (by the way, tipton, welcome to English Forums!) could use either the "been" or "gone" sentence, right?

(Sheesh, every once in a while I get to a point with things like that where everything sounds funny.)
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Yes, but the last time I've been to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old --No.

Yes, but the last time I've gone to France was when I was about 4-5 yrs. old --No.

Yes, but the last time
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Thank you, didn't expect to get replies that fast Emotion: nodding

I'll definitely be asking more if/when I get stuck on som
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Tipton, I didn't notice that this was your first post. Welcome to English Forums!

For a third language, you English is excellent! Just out of curiosity, what are your first and second languages?
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Hello,

"The last time I went" is correct. You are talking about one, specific incident that happened in the past (when you were 4 or 5), and is now finished, so you use the past simple.

"I've gone to France" implies that you have moved there permanently. You use the present perfect to describe a situation that started in the past but continues in the present.

"I've been

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