long back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a point in time far in the past. For example, "I remember when we used to play outside long back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

She recalls that she wore them very long back then.

The New York Times - Magazine

"What do you think of this shirt?" he demanded of Izzie not long back.

Independent

There's this long back and forth, this forging ahead and then retreating.

The New York Times

That performance was all the more impressive as Taylor was not long back from knee surgery.

Independent

The president said he would check and called Long back a few minutes later.

The New York Times

Not so long back, Adams went to see the reformed Pavement playing in Paris.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The news conference concluded with a long back-and-forth with Fox News about... Benghazi.

The Guardian

After a long back-and-forth, the iconic actor intoned: "I disinvite you now.

The New York Times - Magazine

The blues and greens looked rich; the shapes were generally clean, with A-line dresses, slim trousers and long, back-pleated vests.

The New York Times

I don't suppose one could categorically decide either way, but it was somehow comforting to find that arrogant cool had such a long back-story.

Independent

In very poor countries, where the choice is either to work or to starve, people work long, back-breaking hours growing food.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "long back" when a more formal or precise term is required; consider alternatives like "a long time ago" or "in the past".

Common error

Be mindful of confusing the temporal sense of "long back" (referring to time) with a spatial one (referring to physical distance behind something). If describing physical space, use alternatives like "far behind" or "at the rear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long back" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time frame in which an action or event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. Its role is to specify temporal distance, similar to phrases like "a long time ago" or "in the past".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long back" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a time far in the past. Ludwig AI supports its validity. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "long back" and more formal alternatives like "a long time ago". The usage is prevalent in News & Media and Science domains, as highlighted by Ludwig, suggesting a broad applicability. By being mindful of potential ambiguity and the level of formality required, writers can effectively incorporate "long back" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time ago

Focuses on the temporal distance, replacing "back" with the more common "ago".

far back

Emphasizes the distance from the present, using "far" as an intensifier.

long ago

A simpler and more common synonym, omitting "back".

a long while ago

Replaces "time" with "while" for a slightly different emphasis.

in the distant past

Uses a more formal and descriptive phrase.

a long duration back

Changes the word order and adds "duration" to emphasize the length of time.

way back when

Adds a colloquial element to the expression.

distant past

A more concise version of "in the distant past".

further back in time

Highlights the temporal aspect using "in time".

previously

Simplifies the phrase to a single adverb.

FAQs

What does "long back" mean?

The phrase "long back" typically refers to a time far in the past. It's used to indicate that something happened a considerable time ago.

What can I say instead of "long back"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "long back"?

Yes, the phrase "long back" is grammatically correct and understandable, though alternatives might be more common in formal writing.

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

You might say, "I remember when we first met, it was "a long time ago"." You can use it to specify when an event or activity took place.