it has been a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It has been a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that some time has passed since the last time something happened. For example: "It has been a while since I've seen you!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

(It has been a while since a business magazine has raised its rate base amid the challenges the print media are facing).

The New York Times

It has been a while since Jackson was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a while, certainly well before Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a while since Hollywood discovered comics.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has been a while since I've played a record over and over again like this.

Independent

It has been a while since I wrote about a bond fund.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It has been a while since I could say I was really excited and proud about something.

Science Magazine

Even so, it has been a while since Danone launched a blockbuster.

The Economist

If it has been a while, make sure you have yours cleaned and get a fresh one.

WikiHow

It has been a while since that could be said about an American male.

The New York Times

It has been a while since she introduced a major new role.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been a while" to gently acknowledge a lapse in communication or activity without assigning blame or demanding an explanation. For example: "It has been a while since we last spoke. How have you been?"

Common error

While versatile, "it has been a while" may sound too casual in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "a considerable period has elapsed" or "some time has passed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been a while" functions as an idiomatic expression used to acknowledge the passage of time since a particular event or interaction. It is commonly used in conversation to express that some time has passed since something occurred. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

General Conversation

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been a while" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves to acknowledge the passage of time. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. While generally neutral to slightly informal, its appropriateness depends on context. For highly formal scenarios, alternatives like "a considerable period has elapsed" might be preferable. The phrase primarily functions to initiate conversation and create a sense of shared history, frequently appearing in news and media sources. Remember, while adaptable, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been some time

Replaces "it has" with "it's" and "a while" with "some time" offering a slightly more informal tone.

it's been a long time

Substitutes "a while" with "a long time" emphasizing the duration of the interval.

it has been quite some time

Adds "quite some" before "time" to intensify the feeling of a significant duration.

it's been ages

Uses "ages" to replace "a while" offering a more colloquial expression to denote a long duration.

it has been a long stretch

Replaces "a while" with "a long stretch", emphasizing a continuous period of time.

it has been some period

Substitutes "a while" with "some period", sounding slightly more formal.

it's been a minute

Uses the informal "a minute" to replace "a while", implying a relatively short but noticeable amount of time has passed.

long time no see

A common idiomatic expression that directly acknowledges a prolonged separation.

i haven't seen you in ages

Shifts the focus to personal interaction, emphasizing the speaker's absence from the other person's life.

it feels like forever

Expresses a subjective feeling that the time passed has been exceptionally long.

FAQs

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

You can use "it has been a while" to indicate that some time has passed since an event. For example, "It has been a while since I last visited that restaurant", or "It has been a while since we've had a team meeting".

What are some alternative phrases to "it has been a while"?

Alternatives include "it's been some time", "it's been a long time", or "long time no see", depending on the context.

Is "it has been a while" formal or informal?

"It has been a while" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most everyday conversations and informal writing, but more formal situations may require phrases like "a considerable period has elapsed".

What's the difference between "it has been a while" and "it's been a while"?

"It has been a while" and "it's been a while" are essentially interchangeable. The latter is simply a contraction of "it has", making it slightly more casual, but the meaning remains the same.