its been a decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its been a decade" is not correct in written English due to the lack of an apostrophe in "it's," which is a contraction for "it has." You can use this phrase when referring to a period of ten years that has passed since a specific event or point in time.
Example: "It's been a decade since we last met, and I can't believe how much has changed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

HAS it been a decade?

The New York Times

It was a decade.

The New York Times

Its been an exciting decade.

TechCrunch

But its origins are a decade earlier, when a manager from a club which used Peterborough's London Road ground proclaimed he was looking for: "Posh players for a posh team".

The Guardian - Sport

British expatriate Alison Collins established Dubai's Majlis Art Gallery back in 1988 although its roots are a decade older, today the gallery is co-managed by Gujarat native Minoti Shah.

Huffington Post

McCarthy is referring to the fact that, even if NSF makes up its mind next summer, it may be a decade before the money begins to flow because of NSF's constrained budget for new facilities.

Science Magazine

At the heart of the diplomatic tangle between China and its neighbors is a decade-long effort, supported by the United States, to develop a code of conduct aimed at minimizing the risk of conflict in the waterway.

The New York Times

Between would-be CTOs and COOs taking themselves out of the hiring market to start their own company and companies like Google, Facebook, Zynga and Groupon throw mad amounts of cash to lure everyone else, finding the people essential to build more than just a clever app is the hardest its been in a decade or more.

TechCrunch

If all goes to plan and India's economy grows quickly it will still be a decade before its firms begin to challenge those of the rich world and China by size.

The Economist

HarperCollins, in its defense, pointed out that its policy for libraries was a decade old, made long before e-books were as popular as they are today.

The New York Times

Perhaps unsurprisingly, considering street coke is the strongest its been in a decade, some people are taking too much and getting into trouble.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct contraction "it's" (it is) or "it has" when referring to a period of ten years that has passed.

Common error

Avoid using "its" when you mean "it is" or "it has". "Its" is a possessive pronoun, while "it's" is a contraction. Remember: "It's been a decade" (correct) vs. "The company celebrated its decade anniversary" (incorrect; should be 'ten-year').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its been a decade" is intended to express that a period of ten years has elapsed. However, it fails grammatically due to the incorrect usage of 'its' instead of 'it's'. According to Ludwig, the correct phrase should be "it's been a decade".

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "its been a decade" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it's been a decade", where "it's" is a contraction of "it has". This phrase is used to indicate that ten years have passed. Ludwig's analysis emphasizes this correction, noting that mistaking "its" for "it's" is a common error. While the intent of the phrase is clear, proper grammar is essential for effective communication. Using the correct contraction ensures clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's been a decade since

This alternative is gramatically correct.

It has been ten years

Rephrases the original sentence using the full form "it has" instead of the contraction and specifies the duration as 'ten years'.

A decade has passed

Emphasizes the completion of a decade, focusing on the passing of time.

Ten years have gone by

Highlights the elapsed time of ten years.

A decade has elapsed

Uses a more formal term 'elapsed' to indicate the passing of ten years.

Ten years have transpired

Employs a more sophisticated vocabulary to convey the passing of a decade.

We've reached the ten-year mark

Indicates a specific anniversary or milestone after ten years.

Ten years since then

Highlights the timeframe since a specific event occured.

It's a ten-year anniversary

Refers to a celebration or commemoration of a ten-year milestone.

It marks a decade

Highlights the beginning or recognition of a ten-year period.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write "its been a decade"?

The correct way to write the phrase is "It's been a decade", using the contraction "it's" which stands for "it has". The phrase "its been a decade" is grammatically incorrect.

What does "It's been a decade" mean?

The phrase "It's been a decade" means that ten years have passed since a specific event or point in time. For example, "It's been a decade since we last met."

What can I say instead of "Its been a decade"?

Since "Its been a decade" is grammatically incorrect, you should use the correct phrase "It's been a decade". You can also use alternatives like "it has been ten years" or "a decade has passed".

Is "Its been a decade" ever correct?

No, "Its been a decade" is never correct. The possessive pronoun "its" should not be used in this context. The correct form is "It's been a decade", where "it's" is a contraction of "it has".