What is the difference between have you ever been to and gone to?

"Have you ever been to" and "gone to" are both used to talk about past experiences, but there are some subtle differences in their usage.

"Have you ever been to" is used to ask about whether someone has ever visited a particular place or attended a particular event. It is often used to talk about places or events that the speaker is familiar with or has heard of.

For example:

- "Have you ever been to Paris?"

- "Have you ever been to the Super Bowl?"

"Gone to" is used to talk about a specific instance of visiting a place or attending an event. It is often used to talk about places or events that the speaker has personally experienced.

For example:

- "I went to Paris last summer."

- "I went to the Super Bowl in 2020."

In addition, "have you ever been to" can also be used to ask about someone's general experiences or habits, while "gone to" is more specific to a particular instance.

For example:

- "Have you ever been to a jazz concert?" (asking about someone's general experiences)

- "I went to a jazz concert last night." (talking about a specific instance)