has been around for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been around for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has existed or been in use for a significant period of time. Example: "This technology has been around for a while, but it continues to evolve and improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Aricept has been around for a while.

The New York Times

"She has been around for a while.

The Washington Post

Only the black ottoman has been around for a while.

The New York Times

Titter has been around for a while now, of course.

The Guardian - Sport

The idea has been around for a while.

The New York Times

The crazy scientist trope has been around for a while.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

These studies have been around for a while.

The New Yorker

Eye-Fi cards have been around for a while.

The New York Times - Tech

Many of these improvements have been around for a while.

The New York Times

Of course, prefab houses have been around for a while.

The New York Times

Digital picture frames have been around for a while.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been around for a while" to gently introduce a concept that may be familiar to your audience, allowing you to build upon existing knowledge without sounding condescending.

Common error

Avoid using "has been around for a while" when referring to extremely well-known or fundamental concepts, as it may come across as patronizing or unnecessary. Consider your audience's level of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been around for a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration or history of something. It often introduces a sense of familiarity or established presence. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been around for a while" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something has existed for a significant duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its neutral tone makes it versatile. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives like "has existed for some time". When employing this phrase, be mindful of your audience's prior knowledge to avoid stating the obvious. As per Ludwig's examples, it applies to things like ideas, technologies and organizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been around for quite some time

Adds emphasis to the duration.

has existed for some time

Emphasizes the duration of existence rather than active use.

has been in existence for a long time

More formal and emphasizes the state of existing over a prolonged duration.

has been in use for years

Focuses specifically on something being actively used.

has been here for ages

More informal, exaggerating the length of time.

has a long history

Emphasizes historical background and development.

has been established for a while

Suggests the thing has been formally set up or created.

is not a recent development

Highlights the non-recent nature of the subject.

is nothing new

Indicates the subject is already well-known or established.

has been a long-standing tradition

Highlights that something is both old and culturally ingrained.

FAQs

How can I use "has been around for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "has been around for a while" to indicate that something has existed or been in use for a significant period. For example, "This technology "has been around for a while", but it continues to evolve."

What can I say instead of "has been around for a while"?

You can use alternatives like "has existed for some time", "has been in existence for a long time", or "has been here for ages" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been around for a while" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been around for a while" leans towards informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "has existed for some time" or "has a long history" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "has been around for a while" and "is nothing new"?

"is nothing new" suggests a lack of innovation or excitement, implying the subject is unoriginal. "Has been around for a while" simply states something has existed for some time, without necessarily implying staleness.