has been around for years

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That argument has been around for years.

The New Yorker

Niche advertising has been around for years.

The New York Times

Loan sharking has been around for years.

The New York Times

ING Direct, for instance, has been around for years.

The New York Times

The video version has been around for years.

The New York Times

Videoconferencing is a technology that has been around for years.

Harvard Business Review

Opposition to legacy preferences has been around for years.

The Guardian

Even vehicle-en-route tracking has been around for years.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The bulk of their squad has been around for years.

The Guardian - Sport

Pick a charity with a good name and one that has been around for years.

WikiHow

This urban legend, as Bambauer calls it, has been around for years in different forms.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been around for years" to emphasize the established nature or long-standing presence of a concept, technology, or practice. This helps to provide context and suggest reliability or familiarity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been around for years" when introducing something genuinely novel or significantly updated. Ensure the subject has truly existed for a considerable time to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been around for years" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or concept by indicating its long-standing existence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly introduces a sense of familiarity or established presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been around for years" is a common and versatile way to indicate that something is well-established and not new. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject truly has a significant history to avoid misleading your audience. While many alternatives exist, such as "has existed for a long time" or "is nothing new", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "has been around for years" is a reliable and effective phrase for establishing context and implying familiarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has existed for a long time

Replaces "has been around" with a more formal and direct verb choice, emphasizing the duration of existence.

has been in existence for many years

Emphasizes the state of being and the extended duration using more descriptive language.

has a long history

Shifts focus to the historical aspect and development over time.

is a long-established practice

Highlights the established nature and routine aspect of something existing for a long time.

dates back many years

Indicates the origin or beginning occurred a significant time ago.

is not a recent development

Focuses on negating recent origin, implying long-standing presence.

has deep roots

Uses a metaphorical expression to suggest a long and well-established history.

is a time-honored tradition

Emphasizes the respect and value associated with something that has lasted a long time.

is nothing new

Simplifies the expression to indicate that something is not novel or recent.

has been a fixture for years

Emphasizes that something is a stable, constant, or prominent feature over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been around for years" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "has existed for a long time" or "has been in existence for many years" for a more professional tone.

What's a more concise way to say "has been around for years"?

You could use phrases like "is nothing new" or "has a long history" depending on the context to be more direct.

When is it appropriate to use "has been around for years"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is well-established, not recent, and likely familiar to many. For example, "This technology "has been around for years", but its applications are still evolving."

What are some common misconceptions about things that "have been around for years"?

A common misconception is that if something ""has been around for years"", it must be outdated or ineffective. However, many long-standing practices or technologies continue to be relevant and valuable due to their proven track record and continued adaptation.