weeks have gone by

USAGE SUMMARY

"weeks have gone by" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write "Six weeks have gone by since I last saw my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Two weeks have gone by and this has not happened.

The New York Times

Meantime two weeks have gone by for three words.

The New Yorker

As the weeks have gone by, the Kim Kardashian game's quirks have cheered me up rather than made me grimace.

The Guardian - Tech

"Weeks have gone by and we are still not getting anything from police because it's under investigation.

The Guardian

Even since then, weeks have gone by while we waited for them to get back to us.

The Guardian - Books

Four weeks have gone by since many fans whistled against Serena Williams in a semifinal match of the French Open.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Two weeks had gone by like this.

The New Yorker

She knew that it would take some time for these to arrive, but when six weeks had gone by she said that they would have to request them again.

The New Yorker

Part of the problem was that two weeks had gone by and she hadn't sent a reminder to everyone saying in case you forgot about the party, looking forward to seeing you, etc.

The New Yorker

Moving in at Weymouth Street, Etheridge thought of leaving Forrester and Bright, of leaving London, too, but when a few weeks had gone by Weymouth Street seemed far enough.

The New Yorker

With only a few weeks having gone by since that meeting, one would think the FOMC is unlikely to have sufficient information to warrant major changes from the previously announced strategy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weeks have gone by" to indicate a period of time has passed, often when something expected has not yet occurred or when reflecting on a past event. It is useful in narratives and reports to show the progression of time.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses when constructing sentences with "weeks have gone by". Ensure the auxiliary verb "have" agrees with the subject, and use the past participle form of the verb "go". For instance, avoid saying "weeks has gone by" or "weeks have went by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weeks have gone by" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating the duration of a period. It modifies a verb or clause to specify when something occurred or how long something has lasted. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to set a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "weeks have gone by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the passage of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable news and media sources, indicating its widespread acceptance. The phrase typically implies a sense of waiting, expectation, or reflection, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct verb tense and consider alternative expressions, such as "weeks have passed" or "weeks have elapsed", to fine-tune the message. This phrase offers a versatile way to frame discussions about time and its impact on events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weeks have passed

Focuses on the completion of the weeks rather than the action of time moving.

weeks have elapsed

Emphasizes a more formal and measurable passage of time.

several weeks have transpired

Uses a more literary and less common word for 'happened'.

the weeks have slipped away

Suggests a subtle or unnoticed passing of time.

weeks have rolled on

Presents a continuous and perhaps uneventful passing of time.

the weeks have flown by

Implies that the time passed quickly.

weeks have come and gone

Highlights the cyclical nature of time and its inevitable passage.

a few weeks have passed

Indicates an inexact number of weeks.

the weeks are now history

Highlights that the event happened in the past and cannot be changed.

it's been weeks

A more conversational way to indicate the passage of several weeks.

FAQs

How can I use "weeks have gone by" in a sentence?

You can use "weeks have gone by" to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed, often implying a sense of waiting or expectation. For example, "Weeks have gone by since I submitted my application, and I still haven't heard back."

What's a more formal way to say "weeks have gone by"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "weeks have elapsed". This alternative emphasizes a measurable and formal passage of time.

How does "weeks have gone by" differ from "weeks have passed"?

While both phrases indicate the passage of time, "weeks have passed" focuses more on the completion of the weeks, whereas "weeks have gone by" can imply a sense of expectation or waiting during that time.

What can I say instead of "weeks have gone by" to imply time passed quickly?

To imply that time passed quickly, you could use the phrase "the weeks have flown by". This suggests that the time passed swiftly and perhaps unnoticed.