It was the first time we had been to Brasil or It was the first time we had been in Brasil [duplicate]
In the following two examples, what is the difference between the usage of been to and been in? They seem like they have the same meaning but I’m not sure.
-Have you ever been to Florida?
-Yes, I’ve been to Florida many times.
-Have you ever been in Florida?
-Yes, I’ve been in Florida many times.
Been to indicates that you are talking about trips or journeys specifically to Florida. To is a preposition of motion and you are talking about movement towards, and arrival in, Florida.
Been in connotes a stay in Florida (which may be short, or very long, or simply passing through). In denotes position, and you are talking about the state or condition of being located in Florida. It doesn't matter whether you took a trip there or not.
- "He has gone to Paris" means he's there or on his way (to Paris).
- "He has been to Paris" means he's visited Paris (but he's back now).
- "He has been in Paris for two months" means he's in Paris now (and has been for the past two months).
The verb be has different meanings in the two examples. In the first example, be is used with the meaning to go (and leave). In the second, it is being used in its more basic sense of existence, or in this case, living in or staying in a location. The two examples can be reworded as:
Q: Have you ever visited Florida?
A: Yes, I've visited Florida many times.
Q: Have you ever lived in Florida?
A: Yes, I lived there for two years when I was a kid.
I believe that the use of many times in the OP's second example is inconsistent.
As a English student with Spanish as mother tongue, it was extremely difficult for me to cope with the idea of "be + to" because "to be" refers inevitably to a location, a place where I am in. On the other hand, verbs of motion like "to go", "to travel"; "to run" express direction and movement towards one direction and this is always expressed with "to". So, this mixed-form "been to + location" was an nightmare for me. My trick to learn it was considering that the verb "visit" as an elided verb. For example. Have you ever been (to visit) Australia?