it has been three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been three" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a duration of time that has passed, typically followed by a unit of measurement, such as days, weeks, or months. Example: "It has been three weeks since we last met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has been three decades since AIDS made its appearance.

The New York Times

"Now it has been three years.

The New York Times

It has been three days of special.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been three tough rounds.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been three years since the group last toured.

The New York Times

Translating it has been three years of my life.

The Guardian - Books

It has been three decades since Business Week proclaimed "The Death of Equities" on its cover.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has been three hours since you left home, and you are still waiting.

The New Yorker

It has been three years since voters repealed Maine's same-sex marriage law.

The New York Times

It has been three years since he won the Tour Championship.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been three long years, you are always in our thoughts and hearts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it has been three", always specify the unit of time (days, weeks, months, years) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been three" without specifying what unit of time is being referred to. For example, instead of saying "It has been three", say "It has been three years" or "It has been three months" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been three" functions as a temporal marker, indicating the passage of time. Ludwig AI showcases its widespread use in various contexts to introduce a duration since a particular event or point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been three" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the passage of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify the unit of time. Avoid ambiguity by providing context. While alternatives exist, "it has been three" is a direct and widely understood way to reference a duration. It maintains a neutral tone applicable in diverse situations. The phrase demonstrates its versatility and broad acceptance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been three

Contraction adds informality.

three since then

Shortened to focus more on the starting point than the duration.

three has passed

Reverses the sentence structure to emphasize the quantity.

a period of three has elapsed

Adds formality and emphasizes the duration.

for three time units

Emphasizes duration using "for" and a pluralized time unit.

three units of time have gone by

More descriptive and less common.

since the last three

Highlights a point of reference with respect to a sequence of three.

the last three

Focuses on a sequence of the three most recent units.

a three-​year interval

Uses a noun phrase to describe the time span.

three years hence

Uses a formal, somewhat archaic construction.

FAQs

How do I use "it has been three" in a sentence?

The phrase "it has been three" should be followed by a unit of time, such as days, weeks, months, or years, to clarify the duration. For example, "It has been three weeks since our last meeting".

What can I say instead of "it has been three"?

Alternatives include "three has passed", "it's been three", or "a period of three has elapsed", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is "it has been three year" or "it has been three years" correct?

"It has been three years" is correct. The unit of time should be plural when referring to a duration of more than one.

What's the difference between "it has been three weeks" and "it was three weeks ago"?

"It has been three weeks" emphasizes the duration that has passed, while "it was three weeks ago" emphasizes a specific point in the past. The former focuses on the elapsed time, and the latter on when an event occurred.