It has been a while meaning in English
Learn how to use It has been a while correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
it has been a while (since we've spoken): it has been quite a long time, a lot of time has passed, it's been ages (since we've spoken)
This will take a while. This will require some time.
once in a while from time to time, occasionally
It's been 7 years (since I've seen her!): 7 years have passed (since I last saw her!); (I've not seen her) for 7 years!
Examples
- "But it's been years!"
- "Nigel : Bruno, my boy, it's been only 10 minutes since we met, but I feel like we've known each other for hours."
- "It's been a while since we've gotten together and talked face to face."
- "Uhh, a supermarket, haven't been to one of these in a while."
- "It has now been 48 days (and 47 nights) since your "home improvements" caused this damage and my bathroom ceiling has still not been repaired."
- "Is it Friday already? We haven't spoken in a while."
Exercise 1
When does Bruno want to see Donna and Brian?
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
When does Bruno want to see Donna and Brian?
There may be more than one correct answer!
Excerpt: Please meet me in my office immediately...
Thanks for your prompt attention to this matter.
There may be more than one correct answer!
The expression "at once" means "immediately". To do something "at once" is to do it "without delay". Example: "Take those shoes off at once! I think you've walked in dog dirt". Do not confuse the expression "at once" with the term "once", which means "one time" or "at one point in time".
This is correct. To do something "promptly" is to do it "very soon" or "without delay". Example: "I asked him to promptly remove his arm from my thigh". In his email, Bruno thanks Donna and Brian for their "prompt attention" to his request.
This is incorrect. The term "later" describes something which happens "after the current time" or "in the future". Bruno writes that he wants to see Brian and Donna "immediately". This means "now", not "later".
To do something "in a while" is to do it "later" or "in the (near) future". Example: "I don't have time to finish my homework immediately. I'll do it in a while". Bruno writes that he wants to see Brian and Donna "immediately": not "in a while".
Excerpt: Please meet me in my office immediately...
Thanks for your prompt attention to this matter.
Exercise 2
When does Bruno want to see Donna and Brian?
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
When does Bruno want to see Donna and Brian?
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
The expression "at once" means "immediately". To do something "at once" is to do it "without delay". Example: "Take those shoes off at once! I think you've walked in dog dirt". Do not confuse the expression "at once" with the term "once", which means "one time" or "at one point in time".
This is correct. To do something "promptly" is to do it "very soon" or "without delay". Example: "I asked him to promptly remove his arm from my thigh". In his email, Bruno thanks Donna and Brian for their "prompt attention" to his request.
This is incorrect. The term "later" describes something which happens "after the current time" or "in the future". Bruno writes that he wants to see Brian and Donna "immediately". This means "now", not "later".
To do something "in a while" is to do it "later" or "in the (near) future". Example: "I don't have time to finish my homework immediately. I'll do it in a while". Bruno writes that he wants to see Brian and Donna "immediately": not "in a while".
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