Has been a long time ago

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Marius Hancu - 19 Jan 2010 03:16 GMT

Hello:

At Google Books:

2,900 on "was a long time ago"
http://books.google.com/books?q=%22was+a+long+time+ago%22&btnG=Search+Books

623 on "has been a long time ago"
http://books.google.com/books?q=%22has+been+a+long+time+ago%22&btnG=Search+Books

The relatively large number of samples for the 2nd case is surprising
to me.

Any justification for the use of present perfect with "long time ago,"
e.g. in:
---
[Trying to find the remains of the grandfather for proper burial]

"Won't be anything to left to see now. That's been a long time ago."

"I know, but may be there's something. I can bury properly."
--
?

I'd certainly expect the simple past.

---
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Mark Brader - 19 Jan 2010 05:18 GMT

Marius Hancu:

> "Won't be anything to left to see now. That's been a long time ago."
> I'd certainly expect the simple past.

Me too.

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Mark Brader | "Don't be a luddy-duddy! Don't be a mooncalf!
Toronto | Don't be a jabbernowl! You're not those, are you?"
msb@vex.net | --W.C. Fields, "The Bank Dick"

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Marius Hancu - 19 Jan 2010 17:31 GMT

> > "Won't be anything to left to see now. That's been a long time ago."

> > I'd certainly expect the simple past.
>
> Me too.

Thank you for the confirmation.
Marius Hancu

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Glenn Knickerbocker - 20 Jan 2010 23:25 GMT

> Marius Hancu:
> > I'd certainly expect the simple past.
> Me too.

Same here. Notice that almost all the examples Google Books finds are
transcribed speech. I'd say it's got to be regional, but couldn't say
what regions.

¬R

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2010

Has been a long time ago