Every been to Italy?

[Roybert]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #708 "Ever vs. never", question 1

A: Tell me, have you ......... been to Italy?

(a) ever
(b) always
(c) sometimes
(d) never

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #708 "Ever vs. never", answer 1

A: Tell me, have you ever been to Italy?

Correct answer: (a) ever
_________________________

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND

ROYBERT YOUNG

[Mister Micawber]

.
'Ever' is the adverb that we use in this kind of question, Roybert.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your answer. Sometimes people ask me why it's 'been to Italy' and not 'been in Italy'. Is there a logical explanation for this?

TOEIC listening, question-response: Has everyone decided what they'd like for their main dish?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Definition#4 in the American Heritage Dictionary, Torsten:

BE: 4. To go or come: Have you ever been to Italy? Have you been home recently?

I suppose that doesn't answer your question though. 'Idiomatic'.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

'Been in Italy' changes the meaning. You could say: I've been in Italy during high season. This indicates either that you were living or visiting Italy during that time.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Torsten]

Hi Charles and Alan,

Thanks a lot for your explanations -- you've answered my question because now I know what to tell the people who are going to ask me ;-).

TOEIC listening, question-response: How far is it from the office to the metro stop?