I've never been there vs. I never went there

[Diodora]

Test No. incompl/elem-28 "Responses", question 2

Mike: 'We went to Paris last summer.'
Jane: '.........'

(a) I never go there too.
(b) I never went there.
(c) I never did there.
(d) I've never been there.

Test No. incompl/elem-28 "Responses", answer 2

Mike: 'We went to Paris last summer.'
Jane: 'I've never been there.'

Correct answer: (d) I've never been there.

Your answer was: incorrect
Mike: 'We went to Paris last summer.'
Jane: 'I never went there.'
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hi,

Please tell me, why cant we use "i never went there"?

Diodora

[Torsten]

We use the present perfect for things that refer to a period of time which started somewhere in the past and are still true at the moment of speaking.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Blazya]

[Frank Stern]

Hi Blazya:
I am not sure if you still interested in the subject. If not probably you can close the subject. Anyway, there are many examples that show something is true in the past and in the future as well. For instance:
1) Exactly two years ago I came to California for living, so: “Two years ago I lived in California", is a true sentence.
2) Today; I live in California, then obviously; "Today I live in California”, is also a true sentence.
As a consequence, the sentence:
"I lived in California for two years ago" Contains the information of both last true sentences 1) and 2),
Regards

[Torsten]

Hi Frank,

You cannot say 'I lived in California for two years ago'. Instead, your sentence should read 'I lived in California for two years.'
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Sevich]

Hi, Torsten,
what about sentences like "I never wanted" "I was never afraid of.." etc. It seems to me, that you certainly can't use present perfect in sentences like this(I have never wanted I have never been afraid of), or am I wrong?

[Torsten]

Hi Sevich,

Yes you can use the present perfect in those sentences. It might be more common in British English than it is in American English though. I'm sure Skrej, Jamie, Bill, Charles, Tom or any of our native speakers can tell you more on this.

Thanks a lot for your interesting question.
Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Adonistalavera]

Hi, teacher Torsten,
Which of the two tenses in the parenthesis is fit to the given statement.

"What I've heard from the building superintendent, the bachelor flat doesn't get a parking space wherein my belief (doesn't agree, hasn't agreed) at all."

Thank you,
Adonis