been months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or situation occurred. Example: "It has been months since we last spoke, and I hope you are doing well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's been months — I thought you were O.K. by now".

The New Yorker

It has been months since our last night at Ebbitt's.

The New York Times

The proposal has been months in the making.

The New York Times

"It's been months of his desiring to leave".

The New York Times

But there have been months that YouTube [ads have] paid for my rent, which is amazing.

The Guardian

"It has been months of lying and making sure I don't give it away.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"From what I understand, it's been months in the making," Officer Boden said.

The New York Times

There have been months of infighting and an unrelenting media offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been months since a single truck with construction debris has passed by.

The New York Times

"It has been months and I have 20 hungry children to feed".

The Guardian

It had been months since he'd produced, or even wanted to produce, a word of poetry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been months", ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point or event from which the months are being counted. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "been months" when a more specific tense is required. For instance, instead of "it been months", use "it has been months" or "it's been months" to maintain correct grammatical structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been months" typically functions as a temporal marker, indicating the passage of a period of time. As Ludwig AI suggests, it commonly appears after auxiliary verbs such as "has" or "have" to form a complete verb phrase. The examples show its use in various contexts to express duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been months" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the passage of time. As Ludwig AI points out, it commonly requires an auxiliary verb such as "has" or "have". Predominantly found in News & Media, its function is to set a temporal context. When using this phrase, remember to ensure correct tense usage and clarity in the context. The related phrases like "several months have passed" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired nuance. Understanding these points will enhance clarity and effectiveness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several months have passed

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

it's been a few months

Uses "few" to indicate a shorter duration, implying a less significant period.

months have elapsed

A more formal and less common way to state that time has passed.

a couple of months have gone by

Indicates a shorter duration, similar to "a few months", but slightly more colloquial.

it has been many months

Emphasizes a longer duration compared to "been months".

it's been months since

Highlights that the period is measured from a specific event.

months have rolled by

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the passing of time.

the last few months

Focuses on a recent period of several months.

it is months later

Indicates a time difference in narrative or sequence of events.

in the intervening months

Specifies a period between two events.

FAQs

How do I properly use "been months" in a sentence?

The phrase "been months" typically follows an auxiliary verb like "has" or "have". For example, "It "has been months" since we last spoke" or "There "have been months" of preparation for this event".

What are some alternatives to saying "been months"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "several months have passed", "a few months have gone by", or "months have elapsed".

Is it correct to say "it been months"?

No, "it been months" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it "has been months"" or the contraction "it's "been months"". The auxiliary verb "has" is necessary for proper tense construction.

What's the difference between "been months" and "for months"?

"Been months" indicates a period of time that has passed since something occurred (e.g., "It's been months since I saw him"), while "for months" indicates the duration of a continuous state or activity (e.g., "I've been working on this project "for months"").