a past world

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a past world" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a historical context or a previous state of existence that is no longer present. Example: "In her novel, the author vividly describes a past world filled with ancient civilizations and forgotten traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

These provide a window into a past world of activities quite remote to us today.

Princeton University

A past world champion, he has been going to meets for 10 years.

The New York Times - Travel

Her mother, the former Anna Kotchneva — a past world champion in rhythmic gymnastics — gave her pep talks.

The New York Times - Sports

Using a version of these ancient techniques, a past world memory champion named Ben Pridmore was set to prove he had memorized 50,000 digits of pi.

The New York Times - Books

Ames's findings led him to denounce what he saw as environmentalists' idyllic and romantic view of a past world that never existed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At first he sees "only time, and dissolution," but as he examines the objects, he finds himself "invaded by their poetic melancholy" and "fancying myself a privileged visitor to a past world".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Two: a volley past world champions Italy.

The Guardian - Sport

They then got into the argument with a German man over the past World Cup successes of three-time champion Germany and four-time winner Italy before the shots were fired.

The Guardian - Sport

Our form of Western Chess only took root in China from 1980 onwards and while the Chinese Women are already a world force, with two past world champions - Xie Jun twice and Zhu Chen - and victory at several Women's Olympiads, this is the first time that their Men's team has performed at anything like this level.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, the Meiji government outlawed tattoos in the late 19th century, a ban that remained in effect past World War II.

Forbes

We have learned from past World Cups, where we have been a bit conservative.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a past world" when you want to evoke a sense of nostalgia, historical distance, or a significant change from the present.

Common error

Avoid using "a past world" in contexts where a more factual or objective description of the past is needed. Overuse can sound overly romantic or nostalgic, undermining the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

"A past world" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate it describing specific historical periods or conditions that no longer exist. The AI response status confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a past world" is a grammatically sound noun phrase suitable for describing bygone eras or historical settings. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While categorized as "Uncommon" in frequency, it appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, consider its purpose to evoke a nostalgic or immersive experience and avoid overuse in contexts requiring a more objective tone. Alternative phrases like "a bygone era" or "a former age" can provide similar meanings with different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bygone era

Focuses specifically on a time long past, emphasizing its completion.

a former age

Highlights that the time period existed previously but does not now.

a historical period

Emphasizes the time period's significance within history.

an earlier time

Broadly refers to a point in the past without specific connotations.

a previous epoch

Uses more formal language to describe a distinct period in time.

times gone by

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time.

days of old

Refers to the past, often with a romantic or idealized view.

the olden days

A more colloquial way to refer to the distant past.

a lost world

Implies the world has disappeared or been forgotten.

ancient times

Specifically refers to a very distant past, often associated with antiquity.

FAQs

How can I use "a past world" in a sentence?

You can use "a past world" to describe a historical period or a former state of existence. For example, "The museum exhibit recreated "a past world" of Victorian England."

What phrases are similar to "a past world"?

Similar phrases include "a bygone era", "a former age", or "times gone by". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a past world" the same as "the past world"?

"A past world" suggests one specific, individual world from the past. "The past world" is less common but could refer to the entire past as a unified entity. However, this is not standard English.

When is it appropriate to use "a past world" instead of "history"?

Use "a past world" when you want to emphasize the difference between the present and a specific time, place, or way of life in the past. "History" is a more general term, while "a past world" evokes a more vivid and immersive sense of what it was like to live in that time.