eons past

USAGE SUMMARY

'eons past' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened a very long time ago. For example, "Fossils from eons past have been uncovered in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The words, suggesting slippage of the earth's crust in eons past, would prove prophetic.

The New York Times

"Eons past -- 1944 -- I was on a Christmas college break and visited my summer colleagues at the Texas Company office party in the Chrysler Building," writes Dorothy Hughes of East Rockaway, N.Y.

The New York Times

Greek columns, Latin etchings, and ornate sculptures mark our supposed appreciation for the core principles of democracy established in eons past. .

Huffington Post

"That stems from the idea that the cement and the limestone that compose the buildings of Miami are actually fossilized corals from eons past, when Miami was underwater.

Vice

The Arctic Assessment is about the state of the global climate, and we are rapidly heading toward a small North Polar Cap -- conditions of eons past.

The New York Times

As we pick our way through the discarded golden streamers and trampled leprechaun hats and try to remember why exactly the bowl system survives several eons past its defensible existence, the day-after B.C.S. hangover has nothing to do with alcohol.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Because much of that incandescence emanates from thousands of light years away, the film emphasizes, astronomy is really a study of the past — eons of it — the better to discover who we are, where we came from and where we might be headed.

The New York Times

Culture is that mutuality of influence, recorded over eons of time past, which continues to effect the cultural present of a people.

SEP

Instead, during several ice ages, rising glaciers over the past eons cut off Western Europe from the rest of the continent, and this isolation likely contributed to the evolution of Neanderthals' distinctive features from the more primitive Homo erectus.

Huffington Post

Cursed with an awareness of the centuries past and the eons ahead, we know how arbitrary a prison the moment we inhabit really is.

The New York Times - Books

Licence to thrill: 6/10 Age: 32 CV: Poldark, The Hobbit, Being Human Bookmakers' odds: 6/1 Turner, intriguingly, is just the kind of surprise outside bet that Eon has plumped for in the past.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eons past" to add a sense of vastness and deep time when describing events or conditions from a very remote period.

Common error

Avoid using "eons past" in everyday conversation or informal writing; it is more suited to scientific, historical, or literary contexts where the immense scale of time is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eons past" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a period of time far removed from the present. It adds a sense of immense duration, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples regarding fossilized corals and climate conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eons past" effectively conveys the concept of something occurring a very long time ago. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most appropriately used in formal contexts, particularly in science, history, and media. While the phrase is uncommon, it adds a significant sense of deep time when describing events from remote periods. When opting for an alternative to "eons past", consider options like "long ago" or "distant past" for broader applicability or "ancient times" for historical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long ago

This is a more common and less formal way to indicate something occurred in the distant past.

distant past

This phrase emphasizes the remoteness in time of the event or period being discussed.

ancient times

This alternative suggests a period of history characterized by early civilizations and cultures.

bygone era

This phrase evokes a sense of nostalgia or a romanticized view of the past.

historical times

Focuses on events that are documented or considered part of historical record.

in antiquity

This refers specifically to the classical period of ancient Greece and Rome.

previous ages

Implies a succession of distinct periods throughout history.

early days

Refers to the initial stages or beginning of a particular event, era, or institution.

former times

A straightforward way to indicate a period before the present.

days of old

This phrase uses an old-fashioned tone to indicate times long ago.

FAQs

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

"Eons past" is used to describe events that happened a very long time ago. For example, "The geological formations revealed secrets of "eons past"".

What are some alternatives to "eons past"?

Alternatives include "long ago", "distant past", or "ancient times", depending on the context.

Is "eons past" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "eons past" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, historical, or literary contexts where you want to emphasize the vast scale of time.

What is the difference between "eons past" and "ancient history"?

"Eons past" refers to time scales far beyond human history, often associated with geological or evolutionary processes. "Ancient history" relates to the documented history of early human civilizations.