vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Was" is a form of "be", a copular verb which is often translated as "ser". "It's been a long time" is a phrase which is often translated as "ha pasado mucho tiempo". Learn more about the difference between "it's been a long time" and "was" below.
it's been a long time(
ihds
bihn
uh
lang
taym
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. ha pasado mucho tiempo
It's been a long time since I've visited Cuba.Ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que visité Cuba.
b. hace mucho tiempo
When was the last time you saw Felicia? - I don't know. It's been a long time.¿Cuándo fue la última vez que viste a Felicia? - No lo sé. Hace mucho tiempo.
c. hace mucho
It's been a long time since I bought that brand of detergent.Hace mucho que no compro esa marca de detergente.
d. hacía mucho tiempo
It's been a long time since I've read such an interesting book.Hacía mucho tiempo que no leía un libro tan interesante.
e. hacía mucho
It's been a long time since a politician's arguments about the environment met with general approval.Hacía mucho que los argumentos de un político acerca del medio ambiente no recibían un respaldo generalizado.
f. ha tardado mucho
It's been a long time coming, but my new movie is coming out this week.Ha tardado mucho en llegar, pero mi película nueva se estrena esta semana.
g. ha sido mucho tiempo
It's been a long time in the show business, and I've had many ups and downs.Ha sido mucho tiempo en el mundo del espectáculo, y he tenido muchos altibajos.
be(
bi
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm going to the party. - So am I.Voy a la fiesta. - Yo también.
It is a lovely day, isn't it?Es un día precioso, ¿verdad?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't know how much salt is to be added to the sauce.No sé cuánta sal hay que añadir a la salsa.
The assignment is to be done by next Thursday.La tarea tiene que estar para el jueves que viene.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My baby is due in three months.Mi bebé nacerá dentro de tres meses.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the dentist.Mañana voy al dentista.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Had it not been for his family, he would have never become an artist.Si no fuera por su familia, nunca habría sido artista.
If I were you, I would not go.Yo en tu lugar, no iría.
