has been gone

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been gone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone or something has left and is not present anymore. For example: "My suitcase has been gone since yesterday morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Sherlock has been gone for two years.

Independent

Warhol has been gone that long.

The New York Times

My Grandma has been gone 23 years.

The New York Times

She has been gone all day and Mshukuru is bored.

The Economist

My husband has been gone for 7 months.

The New Yorker

What is it has been gone a long time?

The New York Times - Magazine

Grace Paley has been gone for ten years now.

The New Yorker

But, alas, he has been gone for many years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Roger has been gone for 29 years, and Ronnie's still crying.

Huffington Post

In the episode, we learn why Shawn has been gone this whole time.

Huffington Post

"Inventory has been gone for more than a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been gone", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration or reason for the absence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been gone" when a simpler tense like "is gone" or "has left" would suffice, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been gone" functions as a present perfect continuous passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It describes a state of absence that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been gone" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to indicate that someone or something is absent, often with an implication of duration. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for broad communication. While interchangeable with phrases like "has left" or "is missing", "has been gone" specifically emphasizes the timeframe of the absence. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in context to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful of more concise alternatives in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has left

Simple and general way to indicate departure.

has departed

Formal alternative indicating a completed departure.

is no longer here

Simple and direct way to express absence.

is not around

Informal way of saying someone is not present.

is absent

Formal term for not being present.

has passed away

Euphemistic phrase used when someone has died.

is no more

Emphasizes the end of existence or presence.

has vanished

Implies a sudden or mysterious disappearance.

has disappeared

Indicates that someone or something is no longer visible or findable.

is missing

Suggests that someone or something is lost and actively being searched for.

FAQs

How to use "has been gone" in a sentence?

Use "has been gone" to describe someone or something that is no longer present. For example, "My car "has been gone" since this morning."

What can I say instead of "has been gone"?

You can use alternatives like "has left", "is missing", or "is no longer here" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been gone" or "is gone"?

Both ""has been gone"" and "is gone" can be correct, but they imply different timeframes. "Has been gone" suggests a duration of absence, while "is gone" simply states the current state of being absent.

What's the difference between "has been gone" and "has disappeared"?

"Has been gone" generally implies a known reason for absence, while "has disappeared" suggests a mysterious or unexplained vanishing.