it has only been

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has only been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a length of time or any other period of time that has just passed. For example: "It has only been two weeks, but I feel like I have known her for much longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This compound requires at least seven bonds to link its eight atoms together, but it has only 2 × 3 + 6 × 1 = 12 valence electrons, which is enough to form only six covalent bonds.

Britannica

It has only 58 keys, 30 fewer than a conventional modern instrument.

The New York Times

Currently it has only 11 people aged 65 and older for every 100 aged 15-64.

The Economist

In fact, it has only 960 by 540 pixels; you'd need four of these screens to equal the pixels of one 1080p high-def screen.

The New York Times - Tech

He said it was generally cheaper than longlines because it has only 7 to 12 baited hooks that hang down from a mainline.

The New York Times

So far, it has only 10 tenants -- 7 manufacturing companies, a skydiving outfit, a building supply company and the National Transportation Safety Board, which has stored the remains of TWA Flight 800 there.

The New York Times

It is Switzerland's biggest political party, with 26% of the vote, but it has only 55 of the 200 seats in the National Council.

The Guardian

It has only 18 commissioners and a staff of 60 investigators.

The Economist

He added that Scottish Conservatives representation in the House of Commons was not in line with the party's support north of the border – where it has only 1 of 59 Scottish seats but 14.9 per cent of the vote.

Independent

It has only 14 female MPs compared with Labour's 101.

The Economist

Though it has only 30 employees, the nonprofit has created 16 centers that have paid more than $2 million to 3,000-plus 3,000-plus

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has only been", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it has only been" when referring to events that occurred significantly in the past. This phrase is best suited for recent occurrences or durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has only been" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that a relatively short period has elapsed since a particular event or point in time. Ludwig AI reports that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has only been" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a short duration since an event. However, Ludwig reports a lack of examples, suggesting that while correct, its usage is not highly documented in the provided sources. When writing, remember to ensure that the context makes it clear what "it" refers to and that the timeframe being discussed is relatively recent. The phrase maintains a neutral register and can be used in diverse contexts. Consider alternatives like "it's only been" or "it has just been" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's only been

Slightly more informal contraction of "it is".

it has just been

Adds emphasis on the recent occurrence.

it's recently been

Similar to "it has just been", focusing on recent occurrence.

it had only been

Shifts the timeframe to the past perfect tense.

it's hardly been

Expresses that very little time has passed.

it has scarcely been

Similar to "it's hardly been", implies a minimal amount of time.

only a short time has passed

Rephrases to emphasize the brevity of the period.

it has not been long since

More formal way of saying that something recently happened.

the period has been brief

Focuses on the brevity of the duration.

it's a recent development

Highlights the newness of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "it has only been" to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed since something happened. For example, "It has only been a week since the project started".

What's the difference between "it has only been" and "it has just been"?

"It has only been" emphasizes the limited time passed, while "it has just been" stresses the recency of the event. The difference is subtle, but "just" adds more immediate emphasis.

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

You can use alternatives like "it's only been", "it has just been", or "it's recently been" depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "it has only been"?

Avoid using "it has only been" when discussing events that occurred long ago. It's more fitting for events that have happened recently or when emphasizing a short duration.