it has been since

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has been since" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when discussing a specific period of time that has passed since a certain event or action. Example: "It has been since I last saw her, and I can't stop thinking about her beautiful smile and infectious laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The list itself is the shortest it has been since its debut in 1989.

The New York Times

Much as it has been since 1896.

The Guardian - Books

"It has been since the game was invented.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been since the early Middle Ages.

Independent

It had been before, and it has been since.

The New Yorker

That was the highest it has been since April 2001.

The New York Times

"It has been since Marlon Brando and The Wild One.

The Guardian - Business

As it was then, so it has been since.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been since man crawled out of the slime".

The Guardian - Film

The latest report on July 24th put Norway on top (as it has been since 2000).

The Economist

The central dispute is, as it has been since Zionism's early days, over land.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been since", ensure the subsequent clause specifies the event or time being referenced to provide clear context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the present simple tense after "it has been since" when describing a past event. For example, instead of "It has been since I go there", use "It has been since I went there".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been since" functions as a temporal marker, indicating the duration elapsed since a specific event or point in time. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing its prevalent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been since" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating the passage of time since a specific event. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct, it's essential to ensure correct tense usage in the subsequent clause and to consider the context when choosing between this phrase and shorter alternatives. With an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to establish temporal relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been since

A contraction of "it has been", this version offers a more casual tone while conveying the same meaning.

it is since

This phrase is a shorter, more direct way of indicating the time passed since an event. It removes the auxiliary verb "has been" for brevity.

period since then

This phrase describes the span from then until now.

time since

Simplified shorter alternative.

the last time was since

This alternative shifts the focus to a specific instance and describes how much time has elapsed since.

the period since

This phrase emphasizes the duration of time passing after a specific moment

time elapsed since

This shifts focus to elapsed time rather than starting point.

the interval since

More formal phrasing to express time that has passed

it marks the time since

This is used to highlight a particular time that has elapsed since an occurence.

it dates back since

Describes a beginning in a distant past

FAQs

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

You can use "it has been since" to indicate the passage of time from a specific event. For example, "It has been since the last election that the government has made significant policy changes."

What's the difference between "it has been since" and "it is since"?

"It has been since" is the complete form, while "it is since" is a shortened form, suitable for more casual contexts. Both refer to time passed since an event, but the former is generally more formal.

What are some alternative ways to express "it has been since"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the last time was since", or simply stating "the period since". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "it has been since"?

Yes, "it has been since" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English to refer to a period of time that has elapsed since a particular event or point in time.