In the distant past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In the distant past" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a time long ago, often in historical or narrative contexts. Example: "In the distant past, civilizations thrived along the riverbanks." Alternative expressions include "In ancient times" and "Long ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the distant past it was far worse.

The New York Times

In the distant past, Islam integrated and celebrated human diversity, and honored Christian and Jewish culture.

The New York Times - Books

In the distant past, select committees have sometimes been grossly under prepared when tackling business subjects.

The Guardian - Business

In the distant past such stabilisation or emergency payments were often surrounded by secrecy.

The Guardian

"In the distant past, all poetry was sung or tunefully recited," he said.

The Guardian - Music

In the distant past, this city holds difficult memories for Brazil, too.

BBC

"In the distant past, they may have even been taller than the redwoods," Sillett says.

BBC

In the distant past (2007), Xcel ecstatically endorsed net metering.

Huffington Post

But that is in the distant past.

The New York Times - Sports

Mars had surface water in the distant past.

University of California, Berkeley

Many mounds had been plundered in the distant past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In the distant past" to set a historical context or to emphasize that something occurred a long time ago and may no longer be relevant today. It's particularly effective in narrative or expository writing where you want to create a sense of time and distance.

Common error

Avoid using "In the distant past" too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using more specific time references or alternative phrases like "long ago" or "in ancient times" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In the distant past" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when something occurred. It specifies a timeframe far removed from the present. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its role in setting historical contexts or contrasting past and present conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "In the distant past" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that sets a temporal context far removed from the present. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable in written English for referring to times long ago, particularly in historical or narrative contexts. It frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, maintaining a generally neutral to formal tone. While effective for establishing historical background, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms such as "long ago" or "in ancient times" to enhance writing variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long ago

A simple and direct way to refer to a time far back.

In ancient times

Specifically refers to the historical period of antiquity.

In antiquity

Refers specifically to the ancient past, especially classical times.

In bygone eras

Emphasizes the passing nature of the time period.

Centuries ago

Highlights the passage of hundreds of years.

In former times

A more formal way to indicate a previous period.

Ages ago

Implies a very long and indefinite period of time.

Once upon a time

Typically used in storytelling, indicating a time long ago.

In days of yore

An archaic and evocative way to refer to the past.

Back in the day

Informal way of indicating a previous period, usually fondly remembered.

FAQs

How can I use "In the distant past" in a sentence?

You can use "In the distant past" to refer to events that happened a long time ago. For example, "In the distant past, civilizations thrived along major river valleys."

What's a good alternative to "In the distant past"?

Alternatives to "In the distant past" include "long ago", "in ancient times", or "in bygone eras", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "In the distant past" formal or informal?

"In the distant past" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "in antiquity" might be preferred in academic or historical contexts.

What is the difference between "In the distant past" and "In the recent past"?

"In the distant past" refers to a time long ago, while "In the recent past" refers to a time that is not too far removed from the present. They are used to contrast events that occurred at different points in time.