in former ages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in former ages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to times in the past, often in a historical or literary context. Example: "In former ages, people relied heavily on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The level of popular expectation is much higher than in former ages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After examining seashore fossils, Hooke wrote in 1667: "There have been many other Species of Creatures in former Ages of which we can find none at present".

Science Magazine

Thus hath party got the better of the very genius and constitution of our people; so that whoever reads the character of the English in former ages, will hardly believe their present posterity to be of the same nation or climate.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

These kids do something that is a distant memory for most of us: they roam (a word I hadn't even thought of for years before seeing this film) just the way children were supposed to in some former age.

The Guardian - Film

In other words, it echoed a sort of condensed LGBT culture: A culture that languished in its own hidden cues and communications in a former age and has increasingly settled into the happily exaggerated politics of visibility.

Vice

Whereas in the former age group, infection is commonly caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is associated with sexual activity, in individuals at an advanced age or immunosuppressed individuals, it results from C-UTI by common aerobic urinary pathogens such as E. coli [1, 64].

Insights into Imaging

Shared experiences of extreme hardship, especially in a former age when a personal credit line could not hold us over for a month or a year, when everyone, regardless of wealth and status, was effectively brought to their financial knees, is increasingly a tale of a bygone era.

Huffington Post

As shown in Table 4, the odds ratio for patients aged 36-60 years versus patients aged 20-35 years is 0.254, which means that the odds of death for a patient in the latter age group is approximately four times (1/0.254) greater than that for patients in the former age group (p = 0.0029).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

First, That the blood of so many hundred thousand soules of Protestants and Papists, split in the Wars of present and former Ages, for their respective Consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.

University of Chicago

In the other surveys, age at smoking initiation was calculated both for current (age at enrollment minus duration of smoking in years) and former (age at enrollment minus years since quitting and duration of smoking in years) smokers.

BMC Cancer

In the other surveys, we calculated this variable for both current (age at enrollment minus duration of smoking in years) and former (age at enrollment minus years since quitting and duration of smoking) smokers.

Cancer Causes and Control

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in former ages" to lend a sense of historical distance or to evoke a specific era. It's particularly effective in historical narratives or when contrasting past customs with present ones.

Common error

Avoid using "in former ages" in contemporary writing where simpler alternatives like "in the past" or "previously" would be more appropriate. Its somewhat archaic tone can sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in former ages" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. Ludwig AI examples showcase its role in setting historical context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in former ages" serves as an adverbial phrase used to denote a past period, often for contrasting historical conditions with the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While its frequency is rare, it's mostly encountered in news, media, academic and scientific writings. For more casual tones, consider alternatives such as "in the past" or "previously".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in past eras

Replaces "ages" with "eras", offering a slightly more formal tone.

in bygone times

Substitutes "former ages" with "bygone times", evoking a sense of nostalgia.

in olden days

Uses a more colloquial expression to refer to the past.

in ancient times

Emphasizes a more distant past, often associated with ancient civilizations.

in previous generations

Focuses on past human generations rather than abstract time periods.

in earlier periods

Provides a more neutral and academic way to refer to the past.

in days of yore

Employs an archaic and literary expression for a distant past.

in times past

Offers a straightforward alternative with a slightly poetic feel.

in the old days

A simpler, more casual way to refer to the past.

in historical times

Specifically denotes times that are considered part of recorded history.

FAQs

How can I use "in former ages" in a sentence?

You can use "in former ages" to refer to past periods, often in a historical or literary context. For instance, "In former ages, people relied heavily on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge."

What are some alternatives to "in former ages"?

Consider using alternatives like "in ancient times", "in bygone times", or "in olden days" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality or emphasis.

Is "in former ages" formal or informal?

"In former ages" leans towards the formal side, lending a historical or literary tone to your writing. For more casual contexts, "in the past" or "previously" might be more suitable.

When is it appropriate to use "in former ages" over "in the past"?

Use "in former ages" when you want to emphasize the historical distance or contrast past customs with the present. "In the past" is a more general term and applicable to a wider range of contexts.