Essential Grammar in Use(Third Edition)--Present perfect Unit17

Have you ever ...? (present perfect 3)

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A

Have you been to Rome? Yes, I have. Many times.

Have you ever been to Japan? No, I've never been to Japan.

 

We use the present perfect (have been/ have had/ have played  etc.) when we talk about a time from the past until now - for example, a person's life:

Have you ever been to Japan?
past	time from the past until now	now

 

• Have you been to France?   No, I haven't.
• I've been to Canada, but I haven't been to the United States.
• Mary is an interesting person.     She has had many different jobs and has lived in many places.
• I've seen that woman before, but I can't remember where.
• How many times has Brazil won the World Cup?
• Have you read this book?    Yes, I've read it twice. (twice = two times)

B

present perfect + ever(in question) and never:

• Has Ann ever been to Australia?    Yes, once. (once = one time)
• Have you ever played golf?     Yes, I play a lot.
• My sister has never traveled by plane.
• I've never ridden a horse.
• Who is that man?    I don't know. I've never seen him before.

C

gone and been

 

(Where's Bill?        He's away. He's gone to Spain.)

Bill has gone to Spain. (= he is in Spain now)

 

two weeks later:

(Hello, Bill.    Hi, I've been on holiday. I've been to Spain.)

Bill has been to Spain. (= he went to Spain, but now he is back)

 

Compare:

• I can't find Susan. Where has she gone? (= where is she now?)
• Oh, hello Susan! I was looking for you. Where have you been?