five questions ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "five questions ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a point in time that is five questions prior to the current moment in a conversation or discussion. Example: "I remember you asked about the project timeline five questions ago, and I wanted to clarify my response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's what I said five questions ago".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The use of routine checkups was assessed with five questions on how long ago the following checkups had taken place: blood sample to check HbA1C level, blood sample to check cholesterol level, blood pressure measurement by healthcare provider, feet check by doctor and eye examination.

BMC Health Services Research

While Andy Rosenthal, the Times editorial page editor wouldn't answer HuffPost's questions five days ago, the paper's Sunday editorial now makes clear where the board stands.

Huffington Post

I had three questions when I began this project nine years ago: 1.

Los Angeles Times

If you had asked that question five years ago, it would have been completely the opposite".

The New York Times

If you'd asked me that question five years ago, I'd give you a different answer.

The New York Times - Sports

The Kremlin had hoped to settle the question five months ago, when Russia's president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, endorsed a local official to take over the presidency of South Ossetia, a breakaway region in Georgia that has become a de facto Russian protectorate.

The New York Times

The state's Department of Health asked questions two years ago about the pay and was told by the chairman of the hospital corporation that expert consultants had come up with the figures.

The New York Times

Ten, or even five years ago, those questions might have sounded heartless, or even cruel.

The New Yorker

"If you would have asked me that question probably five years ago, I would have been much more concerned about it than I am today," he said.

The New Yorker

A recent Gallup poll found that 64percentt of Americans favor making marijuana legal ― the highest since the pollster first posed the question almost five decades ago.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "five questions ago" to directly and clearly refer back to a specific point in a structured discussion or interview, ensuring your audience knows exactly what you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "five questions ago" when a more general reference like "earlier" or "previously" would suffice if the specific number of questions is not essential to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "five questions ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when something was said or discussed in relation to the current point in a conversation. As Ludwig states, it refers to a point in time that is five questions prior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "five questions ago" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that serves to pinpoint a specific moment in a conversation or interview. As Ludwig confirms, it directs the listener's attention back to something stated five questions earlier. While examples are rare, as Ludwig correctly shows and confirms that the phrase is best suited for scenarios where a precise reference is needed, particularly in news or structured discussions. For more general references, alternatives like "earlier in the conversation" may be more appropriate. Overall, use "five questions ago" judiciously for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

five questions earlier

Emphasizes that the point was made before the current point.

five inquiries back

Uses a synonym for "question" and specifies the quantity.

as discussed five queries ago

Synonymous with 'questions', but may sound slightly formal.

as addressed five questions prior

Rephrases to emphasize the sequence of inquiries.

earlier in the conversation

Refers to a previous point, but is more general than specifying 'five questions'.

as I mentioned previously

Indicates a prior statement without specifying the exact number of questions.

a few questions before

Indicates a past reference point but uses a less precise quantifier.

to reiterate my earlier point

Focuses on repeating a point, not necessarily in response to a specific question count.

in response to a previous question

A general acknowledgement of a prior question, without a numerical specifier.

returning to a point made earlier

Similar to 'earlier in the conversation', lacking specificity.

FAQs

How can I use "five questions ago" in a sentence?

You can use "five questions ago" to refer to a statement or topic that was discussed five questions prior in a conversation or interview. For example, "As I mentioned "five questions ago", the budget is our primary concern."

What can I say instead of "five questions ago"?

You can use alternatives like "earlier in the conversation", "as I mentioned previously", or "five questions earlier" depending on the context.

Is "five questions ago" too informal for professional writing?

While "five questions ago" is understandable, in formal writing, consider using a more precise reference or a slightly more formal phrase like "as addressed five questions prior" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "five questions ago" and "a few questions ago"?

"Five questions ago" is specific, indicating exactly five questions prior, whereas "a few questions ago" is less precise, suggesting a point in the recent past but without specifying the exact number of questions.