further ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"further ago" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened in the more distant past compared to something else. For example, "I saw him yesterday, but I hadn't seen him for even further ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Politics may be sharp the bringing-down of Mr Gonzalez, eg but the result is, well, just a different government.That is a change from days a lot further ago than Franco's.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But above some threshold that Britain passed a generation ago, further economic growth doesn't seem to help.

The Guardian - Opinion

We've just gone even further – four weeks ago we launched our on-demand service for Sky customers.

The Guardian

One hundred flatbed trucks rumbled away three days ago, further emptying out a base that now holds about 500 American soldiers.

The New York Times

TYLER KEPNER LEADING THE LEAGUES Major League Baseball centralized the American and National League offices a few years ago, further diluting the identity of league affiliations.

The New York Times - Sports

Five years ago the story moved round the coast from Sussex to Suffolk, where the discovery of tiny flint tools at Pakefield told us humans were here a further 200 millennia ago.

The Guardian

On Wednesday, Felipe González, the former Socialist prime minister who led Spain into the European Union 30 years ago, further complicated the situation for Mr. Sánchez by accusing him of deceit in an interview with Cadena Ser, a radio station.

The New York Times

Now the finding of SIVgor in a Cameroonian woman who moved to France 5 years ago further complicates the story.

Science Magazine

His findings may add to the picture of freshening water which he first saw a few days ago further to the west.

BBC

Since the first demonstration of de novo bone formation by regenerative strategies and the application of bone growth factors some decades ago, further progress has been achieved by tissue engineering, gene transfer, and stem cell application concepts.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Historical tsunami data from the past decades to a few hundreds of years ago further reveal that wave inundation reached a maximum height of 2 m along the coasts of northwestern Luzon (Bautista et al. 2012).

Geoscience Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "further ago" to make a direct comparison between two points in time, emphasizing which is more distant from the present.

Common error

Avoid using "further ago" when "ago" already provides sufficient context. For instance, instead of saying "even further ago", simply state the specific time frame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further ago" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying a time in the past relative to another point, indicating a greater temporal distance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "further ago" is a grammatically correct comparative adverbial phrase used to indicate a point in time more distant than another. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. It appears mainly in news, media, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure that the comparison is explicit and consider whether simpler alternatives might be more effective. Avoid redundancy by not using "further ago" when "ago" alone suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more distant past

Replaces "further ago" with a more common and slightly more formal expression.

longer time ago

Emphasizes the duration of time that has passed.

earlier time

Simple and direct substitution, focusing on sequence rather than duration.

in the more remote past

Adds a sense of remoteness or inaccessibility to the past event.

at a more advanced date in the past

A formal and somewhat cumbersome way of expressing the same idea.

in earlier times

Generalizes the reference to a less specific period.

a longer while back

More colloquial and less precise.

more time back

Simplifies the structure but retains the meaning.

in the deeper past

More metaphorical, suggesting a past that is buried or profound.

in a prior era

Shifts the focus to a distinct historical period.

FAQs

How can I use "further ago" in a sentence?

Use "further ago" to compare two past events, indicating one is more distant. For example: "While the initial event occurred last year, the subsequent one was even "further ago".

What phrases are similar to "further ago"?

Alternatives include "more distant past", "longer time ago", or simply "earlier time", depending on the context.

Is "further ago" formal or informal?

"Further ago" is generally considered neutral but tends to appear more frequently in journalistic and analytical contexts than in casual conversation.

How does the use of "further ago" affect the tone of writing?

Using "further ago" can add a degree of analytical precision, helping to clearly differentiate between different points in the past. However, ensure that it enhances clarity rather than sounding unnecessarily complex; simpler alternatives like "earlier" may sometimes be more effective.