Quite some time ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Quite some time ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or situation that happened a significant amount of time in the past. Example: "Quite some time ago, I visited Paris and fell in love with the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quite some time ago, humans decided that we'd eat in front of each other but not defecate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Quite some time ago, a petition was circulated to "Light the White House Gold".

Huffington Post

Quite some time ago, these firms came to me and told me that, if the regulation goes through unamended and without easier arrangements for small and medium-sized businesses under national licensing schemes, they would no longer be able to offer those services.

EU Parlament

"I retired from the N.B.A. quite some time ago".

The New York Times - Sports

They were eliminated in Australia quite some time ago, but a few held out in Tasmania.

Cornell University

It was the Taubman Centers IPO, which was quite some time ago now.

Columbia University

I left college quite some time ago, in 1986, and started my business immediately afterward.

The New York Times

But hang on — wasn't the Cold War supposed to have ended quite some time ago?

The New Yorker

"I'm told they got hold of [the footage] quite some time ago," he said.

The Guardian

The tables turned quite some time ago, with the politicians becoming dependent on the dons for their survival.

The New York Times

Isothermal transformation below the MS temperature has been reported quite some time ago and has been confirmed in the present work.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Quite some time ago" to add a touch of formality or emphasis when indicating that something happened a significant period in the past, but not so distant as to be considered ancient history.

Common error

Avoid using "Quite some time ago" in very casual conversations or writing where simpler alternatives like "a while back" or "some time ago" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Quite some time ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct way to express a point in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Quite some time ago" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting a past event. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly formal situations. When a more casual tone is desired, alternatives such as "a while back" or "some time ago" might be preferable. Ludwig AI considers this phrase correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A long time ago

This alternative is a more common and general way to express a similar meaning, lacking the nuance of "quite."

Some time ago

This alternative is slightly less emphatic, indicating a less significant duration.

In the distant past

This alternative adds a sense of remoteness or historical depth.

Years ago

This alternative is more specific, focusing on the passage of years.

Way back when

This alternative is more informal and nostalgic.

In bygone days

This alternative evokes a sense of nostalgia and is more literary.

A while back

This alternative is more casual and less precise.

In former times

This alternative is formal and emphasizes a previous era.

In days gone by

This alternative is poetic and implies a sense of loss or change.

Back in the day

This alternative is informal and often used to reminisce about a specific period.

FAQs

What does "Quite some time ago" mean?

The phrase "Quite some time ago" means a significant but not precisely defined period in the past. It indicates that something happened a considerable duration before the present moment.

What can I say instead of "Quite some time ago"?

You can use alternatives like "a long time ago", "some time ago", or "years ago" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Quite a time ago"?

While understandable, "Quite a time ago" is less common and idiomatic than "Quite some time ago". The latter is the preferred and more widely accepted phrasing.

How formal is the phrase "Quite some time ago"?

"Quite some time ago" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most writing and speaking situations but might sound slightly out of place in very informal settings.