it was years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a significant passage of time in a narrative or description. Example: "It was years before I finally returned to my hometown after moving away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As it was years before Google launched its now famous AdSense network, Wainner sold ads himself.

Forbes

In the past it was years.

The Economist

But it was years before anyone followed.

The New York Times - Travel

It's different than it was years ago.

The New York Times

It was years before South Boston schools were quieted.

The New Yorker

Everything is done the way it was years ago".

The New York Times - Travel

It was years before anyone mentioned the phrase "New Labour".

Independent

It was years ago, bicycling home from school.

The New York Times

It was years before his son found out.

The New York Times - Sports

The competition is more solid than it was years ago.

The New York Times

It was years before I knew it was a book.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase the impact of this expression, follow it with specific details about the changes or developments that occurred during those years.

Common error

Avoid using the contraction "it's" (it is) instead of "it was" when referring to a past period. "It's years" is grammatically incorrect and alters the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was years" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a significant passage of time. Ludwig examples show it often precedes clauses that describe the consequences or changes that occurred during those years, consistent with Ludwig AI confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was years" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a considerable amount of time has passed. Analysis of Ludwig examples confirms that the phrase is used to emphasize the duration between two events and to highlight changes or consequences resulting from the passage of time. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. It is important to avoid common errors like confusing it with the contraction "it's". Alternatives such as "years had passed" or "years went by" can be used to add variety to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

years had elapsed

Emphasizes the passing of time, focusing on the completion of the time period.

years went by

Simple and direct way to state that time has passed.

a long time passed

Highlights the length of the duration that has gone by.

it had been ages

Uses 'ages' to convey a very long time, similar to years but more emphatic.

years drifted away

A more poetic and evocative way to describe the passing of time.

many seasons passed

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of time’s passage.

it was a matter of years

Focuses on the fact that the time involved was measured in years.

a considerable time had gone by

Highlights that a significant amount of time has passed.

the intervening years

Refers to the years that came between two events.

a span of years

Focuses on the duration of the time period in question.

FAQs

How can I use "it was years" in a sentence?

You can use "it was years" to describe a significant period that has passed. For example, "It was years before I saw her again" indicates that a long time elapsed before the reunion.

What are some alternatives to saying "it was years"?

Alternatives include "years had passed", "years went by", or "a long time passed", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "it's years" (meaning "it is years") is grammatically incorrect when you want to indicate that a long period has passed. You should use "it was years" to refer to a past time.

What is the difference between "it was years" and "it had been years"?

"It was years" is a simple past construction indicating a period of time. "It had been years" uses the past perfect, emphasizing that the time passed before another event in the past. For example: "It had been years since they last spoke when they finally met again."