while since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while since" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a confusion of two separate phrases: "it's been a while" and "since." Example: "It's been a while since we last met."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But it's a while since they visited.

The New Yorker

"It is a long while since he has played.

Independent

It has been a while since Jackson was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since I could smile like that.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a while since I had those".

The New Yorker

"It's been a while since I played football".

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since we've won, so we're due".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since his last testicle.

The New Yorker

It's been a while since we had a good retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's been a while since I've been in the ring".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since I had shaved.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "while since" in formal writing. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "it's been a while since" or "a long time since".

Common error

The incorrect use of "while since" often arises from a confusion or blending of the correct phrases "it's been a while" and the use of "since" to indicate a starting point in time. To avoid this, always ensure the sentence includes the full, grammatically correct structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while since" is typically intended to express the passage of time since a certain event. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect, acting as an incomplete expression needing words like "it's been" to form a complete thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "while since" is commonly found, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It's often used to express the passage of time, but more appropriate alternatives include "it's been a while since" or "a long time since". Although prevalent in news and media, writers should opt for correct alternatives in formal writing. Remember that although frequent and easily found in media, this doesn't make the expression correct from the grammatical point of view.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's been a while

This is a common and correct way to express that a significant amount of time has passed.

it's been quite some time

Similar to "it's been some time", but with added emphasis.

it has been a long time

This phrase emphasizes the length of the time that has passed.

it's been some time

A more formal and slightly less common way of saying "it's been a while".

a long time has passed

This version focuses on the passing of time itself.

it's been ages

An informal way to indicate that a very long time has gone by.

it feels like forever

Emphasizes the subjective feeling that a long time has passed.

it's been a long period

Emphasizes the period that has passed.

it's been a long duration

Focuses on the duration of the period.

a considerable time has elapsed

A formal way to state that a significant period has passed.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "while since"?

The grammatically correct way to express a similar idea is to use phrases like "it's been a while" or "a long time since".

Is "while since" grammatically correct?

No, "while since" is not grammatically correct. It's likely a combination of two separate phrases. Use alternatives such as "it's been a while since" to convey the intended meaning correctly.

What can I say instead of "while since"?

You can use phrases like "it's been a while since", "a long time since", or "it has been a long time" depending on the context.

How can I use "it's been a while since" in a sentence?

You can use "it's been a while since" to indicate that a significant period has passed since a particular event. For example, "It's been a while since we last met."