VISIT


Meaning of VISIT in English

verb

1

BAD : Afterwards we visited a restaurant for dinner.

GOOD : Afterwards we went to a restaurant for dinner.

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You visit places that are of special interest, especially when you are a tourist or official guest: 'By the end of the day I was fed up with visiting museums and all the travelling around.' 'Later in the day Her Majesty will be visiting the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.'

You go to a restaurant, market, library, someone's house etc: 'If it rains, we could always go to the cinema.' 'I've got to go to the dentist's.'

2

DUBIOUS : Thank you for visiting me.

GOOD : Thank you for coming to see me.

DUBIOUS : He's gone back to Iran to pay a visit to his family.

GOOD : He's gone back to Iran to see his family.

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When you are talking about visiting someone for pleasure or business, go/come to see sb (or go/come and see sb ) usually sounds more natural than visit sb or pay sb a visit : 'She's gone to see her brother.' 'Let's go and see Peter and take him some grapes.'

3

BAD : I've been visiting a language school in Cambridge.

GOOD : I've been going to a language school in Cambridge.

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go to or (more formal) attend a school, college, class, etc (= go there regularly as a student): 'Her son goes to a small private school near Chingford.' 'I've started going to evening classes.'

Compare: 'Government inspectors visit the school twice a year.'

4

BAD : If I ever visit to Canada, I'll go when it's warm.

GOOD : If I ever visit Canada, I'll go when it's warm.

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You visit a place (WITHOUT to ): 'He has visited all the countries in Europe.'

Compare: 'The President's July visit to El Salvador has been postponed.' (noun + to )

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