it had been a very long time. vs it had been very long time.

The correct phrase is "it had been a very long time." The word 'a' is necessary before 'very long time' to make the sentence grammatically correct. The absence of 'a' in the second phrase makes it incorrect.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1173 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"it had been a very long time."

This phrase is used to express that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or situation.

Examples:

It had been a very long time since I last saw her.
It had been a very long time since we visited that place.
It had been a very long time since we had a family gathering.
It had been a very long time since I felt so happy.
It had been a very long time since we had such a good meal.

Show examples from the web [+]

Everyone told me it had been a very long time since they had laughed that loud - for that long! Thanks for the laughs and memories, [this was the] best off-site ...
Jun 8, 2015 ... It had been a very long time since he'd been responsible for another human. Never had he organized travel for himself or anybody. But it was ...
Jan 17, 2011 ... I don't think they really have different meanings, you're just saying that up until that afternoon, it had been a very long time since you had seen ...
Apr 13, 2015 ... For me, before last fall, it had been a very long time. And when I did, I noticed that acorns really are tiny time capsules for what could become ...

This phrase is incorrect in English. The article 'a' is needed before 'very long time.'

"it had been very long time."

Show examples from the web [+]

It had been very long time since i last watched a Bollywood movie. Last week while i was wandering around searching about new releases, i came across ...
It had been very long time until I am finally freed from 2-year carrier contract from Softbank. Phones in Japan are not sim-free i.e. they are tied with a carrier either ...
Apr 20, 2015 ... The story is long, click here to teleport to the guide! It had been very long time until I am finally freed from 2-year carrier contract from Softbank.
Jun 24, 2014 ... Ywing5 1 year ago. Thank you :) Yeah, It had been very long time. Next: "Thor: The Dark World trailer"- surely faster :). Read more Show less.

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it had been a very long time. vs it had been very long time.