1
BAD : I hadn't been in Scotland before.
GOOD : I hadn't been to Scotland before.
BAD : Have you ever been in California?
GOOD : Have you ever been to California?
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been in = been living or staying in: 'I've been in Paris since the beginning of June.' 'How long has Wendy been in hospital?'
been to = gone to and come back from; visited: 'I've been to Paris three times.' 'I've been to the hospital to see Wendy.'
2
BAD : Last year I've been to England for a month.
GOOD : Last year I went to England for a month.
BAD : First of all we've been to UCLA to see Ray's brother.
GOOD : First of all we went to UCLA to see Ray's brother.
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When you are talking about a specific visit or trip that you made in the past, use went to (NOT have been to ). Compare: 'I've been to England and Italy, but I haven't been to France.' 'I went to England in 1993 and to Italy in 1994.'