been a long road

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a long road" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a journey or experience that has taken a significant amount of time or effort, often implying challenges or growth along the way. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, I can finally say that it has been a long road to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been a long road".

The New York Times

Blake added: "It's been a long road.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a long road," she said.

The New York Times - Health

It's been a long road since then".

The Guardian - Sport

It had been a long road.

The New York Times

"This has been a long road.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a long road for Shaggy.

The New York Times

"It's been a long road," Cindy Baron said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a long road back," he said.

Independent

It has been a long road for the third tunnel.

The New York Times

"Certainly it's been a long road and very difficult journey.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been a long road" to acknowledge significant effort, time, or challenges overcome in achieving a goal or reaching a certain point. It adds emotional depth to your narrative.

Common error

While effective, the phrase "been a long road" can become repetitive. Try to vary your language by incorporating more descriptive and specific details about the journey itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a long road" functions as a subject complement, typically following a linking verb like "is" or "has been". It describes the nature or state of a preceding subject, indicating a period of time marked by challenges and progress. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been a long road" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to reflect on a journey or process that has been lengthy and challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a subject complement and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general narratives. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like ""quite a journey"" or ""difficult path"" to maintain engaging writing. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "been a long road" remains a reliable and effective phrase for expressing the significance of past experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been quite a journey

Emphasizes the experience as a whole, framing it as a journey.

it's been a difficult path

Highlights the challenges encountered along the way.

it's been a lengthy process

Focuses on the duration and step-by-step nature of the endeavor.

it has been a winding course

Suggests unexpected turns and deviations from the initial plan.

it's been an uphill battle

Stresses the constant effort and resistance faced.

the road has been arduous

Emphasizes the demanding and tiring nature of the path.

it has been a protracted affair

Implies that the journey was unnecessarily extended.

it was a long haul

Focuses on the enduring commitment and sustained effort.

the journey was protracted

Highlights the extended duration of the journey.

it has been a trying experience

Focuses on the difficult and stressful aspect of the road traveled.

FAQs

How can I use "been a long road" in a sentence?

You can use "been a long road" to describe a journey, process, or experience that has been lengthy and often challenging, as in "It's "been a long road", but we're finally here".

What's the difference between "been a long road" and "long journey"?

"Been a long road" often implies more challenges and personal growth, while "long journey" simply refers to the duration of travel or a process. The former carries a stronger emotional weight.

Which is more appropriate, "it has been a long road" or "it's been a long road"?

Both "it has been a long road" and "it's been a long road" are grammatically correct and acceptable. "It's" is a contraction of "it has", so the choice depends on the desired level of formality. "It's" is more conversational.

What are some alternatives to using "been a long road"?

Alternatives include "quite a journey", "difficult path", or "lengthy process", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.