ages since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ages since" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a long period of time that has passed since a particular event or situation occurred. Example: "It feels like ages since we last met at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Man: "It's ages since I've seen you.

The New York Times

Been ages since I saw an Uzi".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's been ages since I felt this disappointed.

The Guardian - Books

It's been ages since I've had a good book".

The Guardian - Books

It had been ages since I'd fed anyone.

The New Yorker

It's been ages since I've had a good nut.

The New Yorker

It's been ages since we shared any Whole Robot Fun.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both men had aged since their last meeting.

The New Yorker

Two generations have come of age since Memphis.

The New York Times

The work hasn't aged since its 1980s debut.

The Guardian - Books

Common sense dictated that Catholics coming of age since then would be different.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "ages since" can sometimes imply a sense of nostalgia or longing.

Common error

While "ages since" is widely understood, it can sound slightly informal. In formal or academic writing, consider using more precise language like "many years since" or "a considerable period has elapsed since".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ages since" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the duration between a past event and the present. As supported by Ludwig, it's often used to express that a significant amount of time has passed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Lifestyle

12%

Tech

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ages since" is a common and generally acceptable way to express that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, though perhaps slightly informal for certain academic or professional contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, media, and lifestyle content. Alternatives such as "a long time since" or "many years since" can be used for more formal writing. While "ages since" effectively conveys a sense of considerable time having elapsed, writers should consider the intended audience and context to determine the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time since

This alternative is a more generic way of expressing that a significant amount of time has passed.

many years since

This alternative specifies the passage of time in terms of years.

it's been a while since

This alternative is more informal and conversational.

it feels like forever since

This alternative emphasizes the subjective feeling of a long duration.

it seems like an eternity since

This alternative uses hyperbole to exaggerate the length of time.

it has been a considerable time since

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the length of time.

it's been donkey's years since

This is a British English idiom that means a very long time.

it's been coon's age since

This alternative is an informal idiom expressing a long time.

it's been dog's age since

This alternative is another informal idiom expressing a long time.

it has been eons since

This alternative uses "eons" to refer to an immeasurably long period of time.

FAQs

What does the phrase "ages since" mean?

The phrase "ages since" means that a long period of time has passed since something happened. It's a way to emphasize that it's been quite a while.

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

You can use "ages since" to describe something that hasn't happened for a long time. For example, "It's been "a long time since" I've seen you."

What can I say instead of "ages since"?

You can use alternatives like "a long time since", "many years since", or "it's been a while since" depending on the context.

Is "ages since" formal or informal?

"Ages since" leans toward informal usage. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "a considerable period has elapsed since" or "many years since".