far ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far ago" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific point in time in the past that was quite a distance from the present moment. For example: "It all happened so far ago, I barely remember the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'm in a conversation with family or friends, and when they talk about some of the things we've done not too far ago I have a hard time remembering," said Saba, noting that her relatives and friends raised this concern repeatedly with her.

Vice

As far as I know — and I have been covering her on and off since 2008, including a memorable wild goose chase up the Eastern Seaboard one far ago Memorial Day (memmm-ries!) — the only time Palin gave speeches that were traditional in any sense of the word was when she was McCain's running mate and his advisors had her on a short, but fraying leash.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She thinks it is harder for us to remember relatively recent history than things that happened far longer ago.

The Guardian - Books

The Marvelverse mythos is much more current and pertinent than that which happened "a long time ago, far far away".

Huffington Post

It could be a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In a culture that now seems long ago and far, far away, T. S. Eliot was a rock star.

The New York Times

Long ago, and far far away, I was a child.

Huffington Post

"Long time ago / Far Far Away," but you know what I mean.

Huffington Post

Far livelier is Ago, an Italian restaurant in West Hollywood whose investors include Robert DeNiro and Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

The New York Times - Travel

In those far away, long ago days of feminism, there was talk about equal pay for equal work.

The New York Times

The crash occurred little more than four weeks ago, far less than the months it typically takes the Defense Department to make information about crash inquiries public.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider using more common alternatives like "long ago" or "a long time ago" for greater clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "far ago" excessively in formal contexts. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound awkward. Opt for stronger, more specific temporal references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far ago" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when something occurred relative to the present. It provides temporal context, specifying that an event took place in the distant past, though Ludwig indicates it's used less frequently than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While grammatically valid, the phrase "far ago" is an uncommon way to express something that happened a long time in the past. As Ludwig points out, it's more effective to opt for alternatives such as "long ago" or "a long time ago" for greater clarity and broader acceptance. Although it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its limited usage suggests it's not a preferred choice in most contexts. When writing, consider your audience and the desired level of formality to determine if "far ago" is the most appropriate phrase or if a more conventional alternative would be better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long time ago

This is a more common and widely accepted way to express the same concept.

distant past

Focuses on the period rather than the specific temporal distance.

years ago

A more specific indication of time, replacing "far" with a quantifiable measure.

in bygone days

More poetic and evocative, referring to a past era or period.

in former times

Formal and indicates something that existed previously.

a long while back

Informal and emphasizes the duration of time that has passed.

in the old days

Refers to a past period, often with nostalgic connotations.

ages ago

Hyperbolic and emphasizes that a considerable amount of time has passed.

in days of yore

Archaic and refers to a distant and often idealized past.

a distant memory

Focuses on the fading quality of the past event in recollection.

FAQs

What does "far ago" mean?

"Far ago" means a long time in the past. It's used to indicate that something happened a considerable time before the present.

Is "far ago" grammatically correct?

Yes, "far ago" is grammatically correct, although it's less common than alternatives like "long time ago".

What are some alternatives to "far ago"?

Alternatives include "long ago", "a long time ago", in the distant past, or years ago. The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "far ago"?

"Far ago" can be used when you want to emphasize that something happened a significant amount of time in the past, but it's often better to use more common phrases.