a considerable time ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable time ago" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that happened before the present. For example: "I met my best friend a considerable time ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

" Whilst N.B.A.D. could have printed a considerable time ago, a key objective for printing in the Australian dollar and in fact any new market was to gain diversification of our funding base, and as such we had a clear requirement that any inaugural Australian-dollar trade would need to have at least 50 percent placed into the domestic accounts," said Stephen Jordan, the bank's group treasurer.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the diffusive lifetime of electron irregularities can be hours depending on the aerosol radius such that it appears likely that at low altitudes, where we expect the presence of large particles, irregularities exist even though neutral air turbulence might have ceased a considerable time ago.

Advances in Space Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He went on for a considerable time.

The New Yorker

"This has taken a considerable time.

The Guardian

3. Brian Lara At his considerable peak, which lasted a considerable time, he stood alone.

Independent

The races are found to have a mosaic like genome structure and that races diverged a considerable amount of time ago. A. candida is host specific, and thus races associated with a given host are not expected to cross breed with those on another host; the authors established presence of recombination blocks.

eLife

Hunt said: "Many of these bodies were set up a considerable length of time ago, and times and demands have changed.

The Guardian - Film

"A long time ago".

The New York Times

"A long time ago," I said.

The New York Times - Travel

But 1968 was a long time ago".

Independent

"The war was a long time ago".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a considerable time ago" with specific dates or events for added context and clarity, enhancing the reader's understanding of the timeline.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable time ago" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "a while back" or "long ago" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable time ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, it refers to events that happened before the present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable time ago" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event occurred notably in the past. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it is less frequent than other alternatives and leans towards a neutral to formal register. It is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science". For more casual conversations, consider using alternatives like "a long time ago" or "a while back". Remember to consider the context and desired tone when selecting the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time ago

Emphasizes the duration of time that has passed.

quite a while ago

Indicates a notable period in the past.

a good while back

Suggests a significant but indefinite period in the past.

many years ago

Specifically refers to a past time measured in years.

some time back

A less specific reference to a past period.

in the distant past

Highlights the remoteness of the time being referred to.

years back

Shorter and more informal way to indicate past years.

a bygone era

Refers to a past period characterized by specific traits or events.

in former times

Formal way to denote a previous period.

previously

Directly indicates something occurred before the present.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable time ago" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable time ago" to refer to events that happened significantly in the past. For example, "I visited Europe "a considerable time ago", and the memories still feel fresh."

What's a more informal way to say "a considerable time ago"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, try alternatives like "a long time ago", "a while back", or simply "long ago".

Is "a considerable time ago" interchangeable with "a long time ago"?

While both phrases indicate something happened in the past, "a considerable time ago" often implies a more significant duration than "a long time ago". The choice depends on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a considerable time ago" in writing?

"A considerable time ago" is suitable for formal writing, historical accounts, or when emphasizing the extended period that has passed since an event. It adds a slightly more sophisticated tone compared to simpler alternatives.