1. It's been such a long time.
2. It's been a very long time.
3. It's been a while.
4. It's been so long a time.
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Are they all the same and grammatical?
Do you have other similar expressions?
4 is incorrect, but the others are correct and used often.
4 would be correct if you followed it with a result -- It's been so long a time since I saw you last that I had almost forgotten what you look like!
Its been so long to saw you even though I forget wat you look like
The sentences you provided are all grammatically correct, but they differ slightly in meaning and level of formality.
1. "It's been such a long time." This sentence emphasizes the length of time that has passed, implying that the time feels exceptionally long. "Such" intensifies the meaning, implying a feeling of exasperation or impatience. This expression is commonly used in spoken language.
2. "It's been a very long time." This sentence also emphasizes the length of time that has passed, but without the same level of intensity as the previous sentence. "Very" is used to indicate a high degree, but it is less emphatic compared to "such." This expression is appropriate for both spoken and written language and is more neutral in tone.
3. "It's been a while." This expression implies that a significant amount of time has passed, but without specifying exactly how long. It is a less specific and more casual way of saying that time has elapsed. This expression is commonly used in casual conversations.
4. "It's been so long a time." This sentence is grammatically correct but sounds quite formal and less commonly used in everyday conversations. It emphasizes the passage of time by using "so" and adds "a time" to highlight the duration. This construction is more characteristic of formal or literary language.
Similar expressions include:
- "It's been ages."
- "It's been a long, long time."
- "It's been forever."
- "It's been eons."
In conclusion, all the provided sentences are grammatical, but they convey slight differences in meaning and formality. The choice of expression depends on the level of emphasis desired and the context in which it is used.