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Teal lime Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

It's ages since I last saw him & It's BEEN ages since I last saw him

Is "It's ages since I last saw him" for "It's been ages since I last saw him" an example of ellipsis?

Also, is it possible that "It's ages since I last saw him" is more common in BrE while "It's been ages since I last saw him" is mainly AmE?

Thank you

  

Top answer

teal lime Is "It's ages since I last saw him" for "It's been ages since I last saw him" an example of ellipsis? My guess is no. I think native speakers hear these as follows, so the first is not a matter of omitting 'been'.

— CalifJim

  • teal lime Is "It's ages since I last saw him" for "It's been ages since I last saw him" an example of ellipsis?
  • My guess is no.
  • I think native speakers hear these as follows, so the first is not a matter of omitting 'been'.
  • It's ages = It is ages It's been ages = It has been ages teal lime Also, is it possible that "It's ages since I last saw him" is more common in BrE while "It's been ages since I last saw him" is mainly AmE?
  • Yes, but this has been true only since about 1980.
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1 Answers
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teal limeIs "It's ages since I last saw him" for "It's been ages since I last saw him" an example of ellipsis?

My guess is no. I think native speakers hear these as follows, so the first is not a matter of omitting 'been'.

It's ages = It is ages
It's been ages = It has been ages

teal limeAls
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