all that time ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"all that time ago" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to a specific point in time in the past. For example: I can't believe it's already been five years since we first met - all that time ago.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Sun Tzu, all that time ago, emphasised the importance of flexibility, speed and timing in the successful pursuit of war.

The Economist

To be fair, he even spat fire all that time ago.

The Guardian - Music

I could see myself answering a knock on the door all that time ago, and a police officer who asked if my mum or dad was in.

The Guardian

"Well," says Plant the following day, when the sky is blue but the air even colder, "this is the Band of Joy I played in all that time ago, or at least that was the plan: to go to the place where much of the music we were playing in the 60s originated, and play it with these people.

The Guardian - Music

"Secondly, why has it taken the government three years to produce what is little more than a discussion paper, when the universities sector and my party were warning of the urgent need for solutions to address that issue all that time ago?" Liberal Democrat finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis called on the Scottish government to recognise the inequalities within Scotland.

BBC

I have no idea if his strength was related to our war all that time ago.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But Jersey moved away from all that a long time ago". But as the Carr furore has shown, popular opinion in the UK cares little for nice distinctions between illegal evasion and clever artificial schemes to reduce tax bills for the wealthy while remaining within the letter of the law.

The Guardian

First, there is normally an acknowledgement that the chief minister of Gujarat bears some vague responsibility for the orgy of killing and rape that engulfed his state in 2002 – but, um, wasn't that all a long time ago?

The Guardian - Opinion

Last semester it was a spot for high-end vodka, and while I wrangled children into their snowsuits, chock-full of domestic resentment, I'd find myself dreaming of cold martinis… But that was all some time ago.

The Guardian

The United States did all that a long time ago.

Huffington Post

"I was just a technical director that's all and it was all a long time ago," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all that time ago" to emphasize a significant duration or change since a past event, adding a sense of reflection or contrast to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "all that time ago" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or neutral expression might be preferred. Instead, opt for alternatives like "many years ago" or "in the distant past".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all that time ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. It indicates a point in the past and emphasizes the duration or significance of the time elapsed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all that time ago" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to refer to a past event, emphasizing the duration or significance of the time elapsed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it can also appear in Science and other general writing. When using this phrase, consider the emotional undertones and avoid overuse in highly formal or academic settings. Similar alternatives include "in the distant past" and "a long time back", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the distant past

Replaces the temporal reference with a more general descriptor of time.

many years ago

Provides a less emphatic but clear indication of past time.

a long time back

Uses a more informal tone and simpler vocabulary.

in former times

Maintains a formal register and refers to previous periods.

in the old days

Focuses on contrasting past conditions with the present.

in bygone days

Introduces a nostalgic or slightly archaic tone.

back in the day

Employs a colloquial expression to denote a past era.

ages ago

Offers a more emphatic and slightly hyperbolic sense of elapsed time.

way back when

Uses an informal, folksy expression to indicate a remote past.

once upon a time

Evokes a fairy tale-like or narrative tone for the distant past.

FAQs

How can I use "all that time ago" in a sentence?

You can use "all that time ago" to refer to a past event, emphasizing the time that has passed since then. For instance, "I remember visiting that city all that time ago, and it has changed so much now".

What phrases are similar to "all that time ago"?

Similar phrases include "in the distant past", "a long time back", and "many years ago". These alternatives vary slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is "all that time ago" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "all that time ago" might be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using a more neutral alternative such as "in former times" or "in the distant past" in those situations.

What's the difference between "all that time ago" and "a long time ago"?

"All that time ago" often implies a greater emotional distance or sense of change since the event, whereas "a long time ago" is a more general statement of past time. "All that time ago" can suggest a sense of reflection or surprise at how much things have changed since then.