after ages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after ages" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to a period of time that feels like a long time. For example, "I finally got around to reading the book after ages of procrastination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"One of the triumphs of the last century was the pacification of Europe after ages of ruinous warfare.

The New York Times

IRF8 activation is up-regulating autophagy and M1 polarization of macrophages after AGEs (advanced glycation endproducts) treatment, blocking the IRF8 with shIRF8 inhibits autophagic activity and M1 polarization.

Harvard University

Julie A fantastic shop with a wide range of second-hand books and I never leave (after ages of browsing) without finding a new "treasure".

The Guardian - Books

You have to remember that the mid-1970s were a time in which resources for science and technology were just beginning to level out after ages, a decade or more, of continuing growth Derek Price's sort of stuff.

Cornell University

After ages in the darkness (and one deeply sad mug shot in the light), D'Angelo reappeared in such fine form that it was hard to believe anything genuinely damaging had happened to him.

The New Yorker

On the Don the absence of a religious ceremony may, to a certain extent, be explained by the scarcity of priests; but such is by no means the case in those provinces which were annexed to Muscovy in the middle of the seventeenth century, after ages of political dependence on Poland.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Activity declined steeply after age 8.

Harvard University

Rarely, menopause occurs after age 60.

Harvard University

However, after age 80 the incidence equalizes.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The risk rises sharply after age 50.

The New York Times - Health

Why does 80percentt occur after age 50?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after ages" to express a sense of relief or surprise when something happens following a long wait. It is more impactful when the waiting period feels subjectively long.

Common error

Avoid using "after ages" in formal or professional writing where a more precise indication of time is expected. Opt for phrases like "after a considerable period" or "following a significant delay" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after ages" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. Ludwig examples show it introducing events following a lengthy, often indefinite, period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after ages" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that an event occurred following a considerable amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While not frequent in formal writing, it's commonly found in news, media, academia, and science. Alternative phrases include "after a long time" or "eventually". Avoid using it in contexts where precise timeframes are needed, opting for more specific language instead. Its expressive nature can add impact when describing long-awaited events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after a long time

Replaces "ages" with the more common "long time", making the phrase more direct and less figurative.

after a lengthy delay

Specifically points out that something was delayed for a long time before the event in question occurred.

after what seemed like forever

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of the duration, highlighting the perceived length of the wait.

at long last

Conveys a sense of relief or satisfaction that something finally happened after a long wait.

following a considerable period

Uses more formal language to indicate a substantial amount of time has elapsed.

after a significant hiatus

Emphasizes a break or interruption lasting for a while before something resumed or happened.

eventually

Simplifies the expression to a single adverb indicating something happened at a later point.

in the end

Highlights the finality of the event, emphasizing that it occurred after a period of waiting or anticipation.

subsequently

Offers a formal alternative denoting that the event followed after an unstated but implied duration.

down the line

Indicates an event taking place a significant time from the present.

FAQs

What does "after ages" mean?

The phrase "after ages" means after a very long time; it suggests that a significant amount of time has passed since the last occurrence of something.

How can I use "after ages" in a sentence?

You can use "after ages" to describe something that happens following a long period of waiting or absence, like "We met "after ages" and had so much to catch up on."

What can I say instead of "after ages"?

You can use alternatives such as "after a long time", "eventually", or "at long last" depending on the context.

Is "after ages" the same as "in ages"?

"After ages" means something happened following a long period, while "in ages" (e.g., "I haven't seen you in ages") means it has been a long time since something last happened. They describe different perspectives on the passage of time.