it had been a long time. vs it's been a long time.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It had been a long time' is used when referring to a past event that occurred a long time ago, while 'It's been a long time' is used to express that a long period of time has passed up to the present moment.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 222 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a past event that occurred a long time ago.

"it had been a long time."

This phrase is used to indicate that a significant amount of time had passed in the past.

Examples:

It had been a long time since we last saw each other.
By the time they arrived, it had been a long time since the party started.

Show examples from the web [+]

it had been a long time.
After all, it had been a crazy couple of days.
After all, it had been a crazy couple of days.
The Doctor stated it had been a heart attack.
I mean, if it had been a real choice...
If it had been a bowling game...
I just wish it had been a happier ending.
And yet, it had been a bad and violent day.
I would have rather it had been a stack of Playboys.
I... I wish it had been a different gun.
We know that it had been a bone of contention for years.
If it had been a planned action, they would have beheaded the FPDT.
It is likely that in the beginning it had been a sighting tower.
I was circumventing Kurtz as though it had been a boyish game.
If only it had been a straight course.
Cora said it had been a success.
I figured it had been a while.
After all, it had been a crazy couple of days.
You can't be sure I was going to refuse you, even if it had been a boy because I'm not.
Thus far, I have to tell you, it had been a very good evening.
I realized it had been a long time since I'd done any thinking.

Alternatives:

It had been ages.
It had been quite a while.
It had been a considerable amount of time.
It had been a lengthy period.
It had been a substantial duration.

This phrase is correct when expressing that a long period of time has passed up to the present moment.

"it's been a long time."

This phrase is used to convey that a significant amount of time has elapsed from a past point up to the present.

Examples:

It's been a long time since we last spoke.
It's been a long time since I visited that place.

Show examples from the web [+]

Yes, it's been a long time.
Man, it's been a long time.
Brother... it's been a long time.
Seriously, it's been a long time.
Arabelle... it's been a long time.
Yes, it's been a long time.
Well, it's been a long time.
Mr. Hardy, it's been a long time.
Alicia, it's been a long time.
Jonathan it's been a long time.
Sir, it's been a long time.
Fiona, it's been a long time.
Mr. Florrick, it's been a long time.
Perhaps it's because it's been a long time.
I know you, but it's been a long time.
Sue Ellen, it's been a long time.
Look, I love my wife, but it's been a long time.
It's... it's been a long time.
Okay, McGee, I know that we used to... and we don't anymore, and it's been a long time.
Well, well, it's been a long time.

Alternatives:

It has been a long time.
It's been ages.
It's been quite a while.
It's been a considerable amount of time.
It's been a lengthy period.

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it had been a long time. vs it's been a long time.