it has been years

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "It has been years" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the length of time that has passed, e.g. "It has been years since I last saw him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It has been years since Hell's Kitchen lived up to its legendary reputation, but it was eminently justified.

The New York Times

It has been years in the making.

The Economist

It has been years since I looked in on Amazon.

The New York Times - Tech

It has been years since he let a fighter set foot inside it.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been years since we did something like this in the middle of the week.

The New York Times

It has been years since New Yorkers wondered whether Central Park is safe.

The New York Times

It has been years since anyone actually lived in the Simplot house.

The New York Times

But it has been years since he wrote anything with punch.

The Economist

It has been years since the state had a real surplus, and there's not one now.

The New York Times

Mr Allen, for one, says it has been years since he has seen such solidarity.

The Economist

It has been years since he's been down to Franklin Avenue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been years", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or period is being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been years" when a shorter time frame is more appropriate. For example, if only a few months have passed, use "it has been a few months" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been years" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating a duration of several years. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. It modifies the implied verb, emphasizing the extended period since a past event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been years" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a significant lapse of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to highlight the duration since a past event. While versatile, its use should align with the intended level of formality, opting for precise time references in highly formal contexts. Consider related phrases like "it's been ages" or "it has been a long time" to suit specific nuances. When using the phrase, clarity regarding the event being referenced is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been ages

This phrase uses 'ages' instead of 'years' to convey a long time, differing in intensity but maintaining the same meaning.

it has been a long time

This alternative directly states that a long period has passed, differing in structure but sharing the core meaning.

it's been a while

This phrase is less specific about the length of time but still implies a considerable duration, differing in vagueness.

years have gone by

This alternative emphasizes the passing of years, changing the sentence structure while retaining the meaning.

it's been eons

Using 'eons' exaggerates the length of time, differing in hyperbole but conveying the same idea.

it has been a decade

This phrase specifies a ten-year period, differing in precision but expressing a significant time lapse.

it's been donkey's years

This is an informal, British idiom that means a very long time, differing in register and cultural origin.

it feels like a lifetime

This alternative uses a more emotional and subjective expression, differing in tone.

the years have flown

This phrase suggests that time has passed quickly, differing in perspective but still indicating a long duration.

it seems like centuries

This phrase uses hyperbole to emphasize the length of time passed, differing in exaggeration.

FAQs

What does the phrase "it has been years" mean?

The phrase "it has been years" signifies that a considerable amount of time, specifically multiple years, has passed since a particular event or last occurrence.

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

You can use alternatives like "it's been ages", "it has been a long time", or "it's been a while" depending on the context.

How to use "it has been years" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been years" followed by "since" and the event you're referencing. For example, "It has been years since I visited my hometown."

Is it correct to say "it's been years" instead of "it has been years"?

Yes, "it's been years" is a contraction of "it has been years" and is perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English. The choice depends on the formality of the context.