long ago

USAGE SUMMARY

'long ago' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a distant past, typically before the present day. For example: "Once upon a time, long ago, there lived a king and queen in a faraway land."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

not long ago.

The New Yorker

It's all long ago".

The New Yorker

How long ago, roughly?

Independent

That long ago?

The New York Times - Books

— vanished long ago.

The New York Times

Not long ago 'Aug.

The New Yorker

How long ago?

The New York Times

"It's so long ago.

The New York Times - Arts

long ago.' ".

The Washington Post

I took sides long ago.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not that long ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long ago" to create a sense of historical distance or to evoke a feeling of nostalgia when describing events in the past.

Common error

While "long ago" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal academic or business writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "in the distant past" or "many years ago" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "long ago" functions as an adverb of time, modifying verbs and indicating when an action or event occurred. Ludwig shows that it's commonly used to set a temporal context, placing events in the distant past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.3%

Wiki

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long ago" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase to denote events in the distant past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, predominantly within news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives in formal writing. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when choosing between "long ago" and its many synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time ago

Replaces "long ago" with a more explicit mention of time's duration.

long since

Implies something happened far back in the past and is now completed or finished.

in the distant past

Emphasizes the remoteness of the time period.

many years ago

Specifies the time frame using a quantity of years.

once upon a time

Introduces a narrative or fairy-tale context, implying a past era.

in bygone days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a more traditional past.

in former times

Refers to a previous period, often in a formal context.

in days of yore

Emphasizes an ancient or legendary past.

in antiquity

Refers specifically to the ancient past, especially classical times.

years back

A more casual way to indicate a time in the past.

FAQs

What does "long ago" mean?

"Long ago" means at a time in the distant past. It's used to refer to events that happened far back in history or in someone's personal timeline.

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

You can use "long ago" to describe historical events, personal memories, or fictional narratives. For example, "Once upon a time, long ago, there was a kingdom ruled by a wise king."

What can I say instead of "long ago"?

You can use alternatives like "a long time ago", "in the distant past", or "many years ago" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not so long ago"?

Yes, "not so long ago" is a correct and common expression. It means that something happened in the recent past, implying that it is still relevant or memorable. It contrasts with events that occurred "long ago".