been a while since

USAGE SUMMARY

"been a while since" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that a lot of time has passed since somebody did something or something happened. Example sentence: It's been a while since I last visited my grandparents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been a while since Jackson was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since I could smile like that.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a while since I had those".

The New Yorker

"It's been a while since I played football".

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since we've won, so we're due".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since his last testicle.

The New Yorker

It's been a while since we had a good retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's been a while since I've been in the ring".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since I had shaved.

The Guardian - Travel

IT'S been a while since we've seen the Sexy Stenographer.

The New York Times

It's been a while since it was hopping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been a while since" to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since an event, creating a sense of nostalgia or highlighting a change in circumstances. For example, "It's been a while since I've seen my family, and I miss them."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses with "been a while since". Ensure the subsequent clause reflects the past event accurately. Incorrect: "It's been a while since I will go there." Correct: "It's been a while since I went there."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a while since" functions as an introductory expression indicating the passage of a noticeable amount of time. It sets the stage for mentioning a past event or activity, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been a while since" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a noticeable amount of time has passed since a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to various situations, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary. Consider alternatives like "it has been some time since" for more formal settings, and remember to use the correct verb tense when constructing sentences with this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been some time since

Emphasizes the passage of time with a slightly more formal tone.

it's been a long time since

Highlights the duration of time passed.

it's been quite a while since

Adds emphasis with "quite" to underscore the duration.

it's been ages since

Uses a more emphatic and informal expression to convey a long duration.

a considerable time has passed since

A formal rephrasing that emphasizes the extent of the time interval.

it feels like a lifetime since

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of a very long time passing.

it seems like an eternity since

Similar to "lifetime", but even more exaggerated.

it's been a minute since

An informal way to indicate that something hasn't happened recently.

I haven't done that in ages

Shifts the focus to the speaker's actions and uses "ages" for emphasis.

it's been donkey's years since

A British English idiom emphasizing a very long time.

FAQs

What does "been a while since" mean?

The phrase "been a while since" indicates that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or action occurred. It's a common way to express that something hasn't happened recently.

How can I use "been a while since" in a sentence?

You can use "been a while since" to introduce a past event that hasn't happened recently. For example, "It's been a while since I've traveled abroad", or "It has been a while since we last spoke".

What can I say instead of "been a while since"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been some time since", "it's been a long time since", or "it's been ages since" to express a similar meaning.

Is "been a while since" formal or informal?

"Been a while since" is generally considered informal but is acceptable in most contexts. For more formal situations, you might prefer "it has been some time since".