it has been almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been almost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain amount of time has nearly passed since a specific event or situation. Example: "It has been almost a year since we last met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been almost non-existent.

The Economist

It has been almost 18 years.

The New York Times

It has been almost literally caught in the crossfire.

The Economist

"I'd say it has been almost nil," a competitor said.

The New York Times

It has been almost five years and he is home".

The Guardian

It has been almost 2 years since you wrote this article.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It has been almost a generation since the last major human outbreak of the disease.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It has been almost two decades since the discovery of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT -cells.

Immunology Letters

But that is the way it has been almost since the turn of the last century.

The Economist

It has been almost two years since American troops withdrew from Iraq.

The New York Times

It has been almost two decades since Irvin helped usher summer-club basketball into Chicago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been almost", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or time frame is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "it has been almost a year since the project started" instead of just "it has been almost a year".

Common error

Avoid using "it had been almost" when referring to a time frame that extends to the present. Use "it has been almost" to indicate that the period continues to the current moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been almost" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a statement about time. It indicates that a specific duration is nearing completion or a particular point in time is close to being reached, as demonstrated in numerous examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been almost" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a certain amount of time is approaching or nearly complete. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While "it has been almost" is generally neutral in tone, remember to specify the time frame or event you're referencing for clarity. Avoid using incorrect tenses and consider using synonyms to add variety to your writing. By understanding its proper use and context, you can effectively communicate durations and impending events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's nearly been

Replaces "has been almost" with "is nearly been", altering the tense slightly to emphasize the ongoing nature of the time period.

it's just about

Replaces "has been almost" with "is just about", giving a sense of immediacy in reaching the specified time.

it's close to

Uses "close to" instead of "almost", providing a more informal way to express the nearness of a time point.

it's approaching

Substitutes "approaching" for "almost", focusing on the idea that a certain time or event is drawing nearer.

it's nearing

Replaces "almost" with "nearing", which is a more formal way of indicating that a point in time is approaching.

it is practically

Employs "practically" in place of "almost", suggesting that the duration is as good as complete.

it's getting on for

Offers a more colloquial alternative using "getting on for" to express the progression of time.

it's virtually

Substitutes "virtually" for "almost", conveying that the time period is nearly complete in effect.

it's on the verge of being

Uses "on the verge of being" to indicate that the time period is very close to completion.

it's verging on

Employs "verging on" as a substitute for "almost", implying that the time period is on the brink of being reached.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it has been almost" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases such as "it is nearly" or "it is approaching" to convey a similar meaning in a more formal tone.

What is a more casual alternative to "it has been almost"?

A more casual way to express the same idea is to say "it's almost" or "it's close to".

Is there a difference between saying "it has been almost a year" and "it is almost a year"?

Yes, "it has been almost a year" implies the year is nearly complete from a past starting point up to the present. "It is almost a year" could refer to a future event that is close to happening in a year from now. Context is key.

When should I use "it has been almost" versus "it had been almost"?

"It has been almost" is used when referring to a duration that started in the past and continues to the present. "It had been almost" is used when talking about a duration that was nearing completion at a specific point in the past, but not necessarily now.