it has definitely been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It has definitely been" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it as part of a larger sentence to describe a situation that has occurred or taken place in the past. For example, "It has definitely been a challenging year, but I'm proud of what I've accomplished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It has definitely been all-in in West Virginia.

The New York Times

And it has definitely been good for him".

The New York Times - Sports

It has definitely been an up-and-down year".

The New York Times - Sports

"It has definitely been sort of a love and hate relationship.

The New York Times

One way or another, it has definitely been Awards Week for the Spec.

The Guardian

"It has definitely been a crazy summer," said Ms. Goodstein, the restaurant's manager.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Although I am still hesitant to fully embrace my GAC Girl alter-identity, I have no regrets about trying out an alternative career--it has definitely been a career-building experience, whether or not I return to academia.

Science Magazine

It had definitely been him.

The Guardian - Film

"Based on what we observed, it had definitely been caught.

The Guardian

And it had definitely been entangled in something – either a rope or a net," Beasley said.

The Guardian

Then a rumour reached the press that it had "definitely" been destroyed.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has definitely been" to express certainty about a past event or experience. This phrase adds emphasis and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it has definitely been" when a simple "it has been" would suffice. Overuse can dilute the impact of your writing and make it sound less convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has definitely been" functions as a conclusive statement, expressing certainty about a past situation or experience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe something that has occurred with a strong sense of conviction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has definitely been" is a common and grammatically correct way to express certainty about a past event or experience. As Ludwig AI states, it is best used to add emphasis and clarity to a statement. While it's versatile, overuse can diminish its impact. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "it has certainly been" or "it has undoubtedly been" for variety. Top sources using this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian, confirming its widespread acceptance in authoritative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has certainly been

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", maintaining a high degree of similarity in meaning and conveying assurance.

it has undoubtedly been

Substitutes "definitely" with "undoubtedly", indicating a lack of doubt about the statement.

it has absolutely been

Uses "absolutely" instead of "definitely" to strengthen the assertion.

it has without a doubt been

Adds "without a doubt" to emphasize the certainty of the statement, making it more emphatic.

it is clear that it has been

Changes the structure to highlight the clarity of the fact that something has occurred.

there's no question it has been

Expresses certainty by stating that there is no doubt about the matter.

it's been definitely

A slightly more informal rephrasing, switching the order of the auxiliary verb and adverb.

it's been clear that it has

Shifts the focus to the clarity of the situation, implying certainty.

it must have been

Indicates a strong likelihood or deduction about a past event.

it has proven to be

Emphasizes that something has shown itself to be true over time.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it has definitely been" is used to express a strong sense of certainty about something that happened or existed in the past. For example, "It has definitely been a challenging project, but we're nearing completion".

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

You can use alternatives like "it has certainly been", "it has undoubtedly been", or "it has absolutely been" depending on the context.

Is "it has definitely been" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has definitely been" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and the specific context to ensure it fits the overall tone.

Which is correct, "it has definitely been" or "it definitely has been"?

"It has definitely been" is the more grammatically correct and commonly used phrasing. "It definitely has been" is less common and can sound awkward in certain contexts.