it's been ages

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's been ages" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that happened a long time ago. For example: "I haven't seen my old friend in years - it's been ages since we last spoke!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

When asked about Thurman's last positive test, Michels said: "It's been ages.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems like it's been ages since SparkLabs revealed its intentions to nurture a handful of promising startups in South Korea (it was actually the end of July), but now the accelerator has officially pulled back the curtains on its inaugural class.

TechCrunch

It's been ages.

The Guardian

It's been ages since I've had a good nut.

The New Yorker

It's been ages since we saw each other.

The New Yorker

It's been ages since we shared any Whole Robot Fun.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

When Le Meunier ages a cheese, it knows it's been aged.

Los Angeles Times

Standard Bulleit doesn't carry an age statement, but Bulleit 10 states loud and proud that it's been aged in wood for a full decade.

Huffington Post

"It's been going ages," says Xain of the website.

The Guardian - Music

The British team is the best it's been in ages, and I think we have a good chance in London 2012".

The Guardian - Sport

It's been brewing for ages, trying to find its essence".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's been ages" to casually express that a significant amount of time has passed since an event or last contact. It is most effective in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "it's been ages" in contexts where you are literally referring to someone's age. The phrase is idiomatic and refers to the passage of time, not numerical age.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it's been ages" is as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a significant amount of time has elapsed. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to express duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's been ages" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that a long time has passed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for general use, particularly in informal contexts like conversations and casual writing. While present in news media, it maintains a neutral yet informal tone. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "it has been a long time" may be more suitable. The phrase's prevalence is well-supported by numerous examples from diverse sources, making it a reliable and effective expression for conveying the passage of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been a long time

This alternative is a more formal and direct way of expressing that a considerable amount of time has passed.

it's been a while

This alternative is slightly less emphatic than the original phrase, suggesting a shorter duration.

it feels like forever

This alternative expresses the feeling of a long duration more subjectively.

i haven't seen you in ages

This alternative focuses on the absence of seeing someone specifically.

it's been a dog's age

This alternative uses a more colorful and idiomatic expression to denote a long time.

it seems like an eternity

This alternative emphasizes the perceived length of time passed, often hyperbolically.

it's been donkey's years

This alternative, similar to "dog's age", is a colloquial way of saying it has been a very long time.

we haven't connected in a long time

This alternative specifically refers to a lack of communication or interaction.

the last time was ages ago

This alternative directly states that the previous occurrence happened a long time in the past.

time flies

This alternative reflects on the perception that time is passing quickly, leading to a significant duration.

FAQs

What does "it's been ages" mean?

The phrase "it's been ages" means that a long time has passed since something happened or since you last saw someone. It's a common expression used to emphasize the duration.

How to use "it's been ages" in a sentence?

You can use "it's been ages" in sentences like, "It's been ages since we last went to that restaurant," or "It's been ages since I've seen you."

What can I say instead of "it's been ages"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been a long time", "it's been a while", or "i haven't seen you in ages" depending on the context.

Is "it's been ages" formal or informal?

"It's been ages" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "a considerable amount of time has passed" or "it has been a significant duration".