Been to, Gone to

Been to and gone to 

When “been”  is used, the implication is that, at the time of reference, the act of going took place previously, but the subject is no longer at the place in question. When “gone” is used, the implication is again that the act of going took place previously, but that the subject is still at (or possibly has not yet reached) that place.

For example:

• My father has gone to China. (He is in China, or on his way there, now)
• My father has been to China. (He has visited China at some time in his life)
• When I returned, John had gone to the shops. (He was out of the house)
• When I returned, John had been to the shops. (The shopping was done, John was likely back home)

Note that  been  is used in such sentences as if it were a verb of motion (being followed by adverbial phrases of motion, such as those starting with  to), which is different from its normal uses as part of the copula verb be.

Compare:

• Sue has been to the beach. (as above; Sue went to the beach at some time before now)
• Sue has been on the beach. (use of been simply as part of “be“; she spent time on the beach)

The above sentences with the present perfectcan be further compared with alternatives using the simple past, such as:

• My father went to China.

As usual, this tense would be used if a specific past time frame is stated (“in 1995”, “last week”) or is implied by the context (e.g. the event is part of a past narrative, or my father is no longer alive or capable of traveling). Use of this form does not in itself determine whether or not the subject is still there.