Word
been
US/ˈbɪn/
UK/bˈiːn/
Definitions
01past participle of 'be'
A1 · Beginner
v. the form of 'be' used after 'have' or 'has' to talk about past actions or states.
v. the past participle of 'be', functioning as the head of a verb phrase in perfect aspect constructions.
“I have been to that restaurant many times and the food is always great.”
“The researchers have been in constant communication since the initial findings were published last autumn.”
Usage
Used with 'have' or 'has' to form the present perfect tense.
Pitfall
I have been to Paris last year.
I went to Paris last year.
Do not use 'have been' with a specific past time like 'last year'. Use the simple past 'went' instead.
02visited and returned
A2 · Elementary
v. used to say that you visited a place and have now come back.
v. used in the present perfect to indicate a completed visit to a location.
“Have you ever been to Italy during the summer holidays?”
“Having been to the site on several occasions, the architect was well-acquainted with the topographical challenges of the project.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
She has gone to the shop; she'll be back in a minute.
She has been to the shop; she bought some milk.
Use 'been' if the person has already returned; use 'gone' if they are still there.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Germanic *ga- Proto-West Germanic *ga- Old English ġe- Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *bʰuHyétider.? Proto-Germanic *beuną Proto-West Germanic *beun Old English bēon Old English ġebēon Middle English been English been From Middle English been (past participle), from Old English (ġe)bēon. By surface analysis, be + -en.
Either from Middle English been (“to be”, infinitive) (from Old English bēon, equivalent to be + -en (infinitive ending)), or from a dialectal use of the preceding past tense form as an infinitive form (compare dialectal use of (I)'s, (I) is in the first person, (he) am in the third person, etc).
From Middle English been (plural indicative form); equivalent to be + -en (plural present ending).
From Middle English been, bene, ben, beon, from Old English bēon (“bees”), equivalent to bee + -en (plural ending).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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