a long-ago date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long-ago date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a date that occurred a significant time in the past. Example: "The letter was postmarked with a long-ago date, making it clear that it had been lost for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The next few hours were oddly calm, a comforting memory of a long-ago date with her husband-to-be.

The New York Times

The marble rolling pin and the two pans I had bought to make dinner for a long-ago date seemed somehow inadequate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sitting in her living room on the Upper East Side last week, 83 years old and every bit as gorgeous as she must have been in her youth, Alice Sheba recalled her long-ago date with a man named Jerry.

The New York Times

When my long-ago date asked that question — "What's wrong with you?" — I was, of course, outraged.

The New York Times

While their long-ago date had faded in their memories, that night Mr. Stern and Ms. Ginsburg rekindled their easy rapport, using the reflected light from the movie screen to silently read each other's lips.

The New York Times

My plan for addressing my nagging guilt from that long-ago date in Maine was to get myself chosen by Mimi and then, once the preliminaries were out of the way, drop a question on her along the lines of, "So, do you ever watch 'Law & Order'?" Unfortunately, she chose someone else, a good-looking British fellow who seemed unlikely to have ever been near a crime scene.

The New York Times

The law often changes slowly to catch up with ideas about family, and Mrs. Montepagani's challenge offers a snapshot of one case that could help erode a rule that dates from a long-ago world.

The New York Times

He has a feeling of mechanistic intimacy that probably dates back to a long-ago reading of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".

The New York Times - Magazine

We learned that the wife of Rick Santorum, impassioned critic of abortion, long ago dated the abortion doctor who also delivered her.

The New York Times

Not long ago, dating produced no data at all.

Science Magazine

A: I realize most of you think "a long time ago" dates to the first Harry Potter movie, but I do expect a minimal level of historical sporting context.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long-ago date" when you want to emphasize that a particular date is significantly in the past, adding a sense of distance or nostalgia to the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a long-ago date" in highly formal or technical writing. More precise language, like "prior to [date]" or "in the [decade]", is generally more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long-ago date" functions as a temporal marker, specifying that an event or period occurred in the distant past. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long-ago date" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a time in the distant past. Ludwig confirms its usability, particularly in contexts where emphasizing historical distance or evoking nostalgia is desired. While not overly common, it's appropriate for news and media, though perhaps less so for formal or technical writing. Consider alternative phrases, and be mindful of the subtle nuances they convey when choosing the best expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A distant date

Emphasizes the remoteness in time more directly.

A date long past

Highlights the fact that the date is over and gone.

A bygone date

Implies that the date belongs to a past era or period.

A date from yesteryear

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a more distant past.

A date in the remote past

Stresses the great distance in time.

A date of old

Uses a more archaic or literary tone to indicate the past.

A date from way back when

A more informal way of expressing a time far in the past.

An age-old date

Indicates that the date is very old.

A date of antiquity

Implies that the date belongs to ancient times.

A long time ago

More generic and can be used to refer to any event in the distant past.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a long-ago date"?

You can use alternatives like "a distant date", "a bygone date", or "a date long past", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a long-ago date" formal or informal?

The phrase "a long-ago date" leans towards being slightly informal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a date in the distant past" or specifying the exact year or period.

What does "a long-ago date" imply?

Using the phrase "a long-ago date" typically suggests that the date is not only in the past but also carries a sense of historical distance or nostalgia. It implies that the events associated with that date are separated from the present by a significant period.

Can I use "a long-ago date" when referring to events within the last few years?

While technically you can, it's more appropriate to use "a long-ago date" when referring to events that occurred several years or decades in the past. Using it for recent events might sound unusual or exaggerate the passage of time.