many generations ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many generations ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time in the distant past, often in historical or storytelling contexts. Example: "The ancient ruins we discovered were built many generations ago, long before our current civilization emerged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The fact that there is not a long stretch of SNPs along the ∼3.8 Mb region that is flanked by the SDs that involve this polymorphic inversion, and only a region of about 170 kb on both sides showing homozygosity for the SNPs, indicates that the inversion has likely been generated many generations ago, leading to many recombination events within the region.

Plosone

Many generations ago, Beethoven sought the same.

The New Yorker

"But nowadays, that is so many generations ago".

The New York Times

The Yaquis, driven out of Mexico many generations ago, have a number of settlements around Arizona, this one among the earliest.

The New York Times - Travel

Not many generations ago, Americans came to Europe for a firsthand look at power and its trappings -- how to dress and how to eat when you are in charge of civilization.

The New York Times

The same variant would be expected in two different populations only if both had inherited it from the same founder many generations ago, an unlikely event in the case of two groups as different as those in Britain and Iceland.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

A few generations ago, many people worked for large corporations and were members of a labor union.

The New York Times

Several generations ago, many of these rugs were traded through Mosul and consequently were known as Mosul rugs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a way that would have been unimaginable a couple of generations ago, many of the UK's universities are global institutions.

BBC

Five generations ago, many Americans believed that the heavy lifting of building racial democracy had been completed.

Huffington Post

For decades, the Classic 6 was the ultimate symbol of gracious living, a vivid reminder of the style in which many well-heeled New Yorkers lived generations ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "many generations ago", consider whether the generational aspect is relevant to your point. If you're simply indicating a distant point in time, alternatives like "long ago" or "ages ago" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "many generations ago" when you have access to more precise dates or historical periods. Specificity enhances clarity and credibility. For instance, instead of "many generations ago", you could say "during the Victorian era" or "in the 18th century" if the context allows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many generations ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. Ludwig AI shows that it specifies the time frame in the distant past, relating it to the concept of generations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many generations ago" functions as an adverbial phrase that indicates a distant time in the past, relating it to successive generations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise time references when available and relevant. Related phrases like "long ago" or "ages ago" can serve as alternatives, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long ago

A more general term indicating a time in the distant past, lacking the generational aspect.

ages ago

Similar to "long ago" but often implies an even greater span of time.

many years ago

Provides a vague but quantifiable sense of time passed, without the generational connotation.

in ancestral times

Focuses on the past in relation to ancestors or lineage.

in bygone eras

More formal and literary, emphasizing a past period distinct from the present.

in distant history

Highlights the remoteness of the past event in a historical context.

in previous times

A straightforward way to refer to the past without specifying the length of time.

in former times

Simply refers to a time that preceded the present.

in days of old

Evokes a sense of tradition or folklore, often used in storytelling.

in ancient times

Implies a very remote past, often associated with ancient civilizations.

FAQs

How can I use "many generations ago" in a sentence?

The phrase "many generations ago" is used to indicate a time long past relative to current generations. For example, "The traditions of this village began "many generations ago"".

What's a good alternative to "many generations ago"?

Alternatives include "long ago", "ages ago", or "in ancient times". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of remoteness you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a long time ago" or "many generations ago"?

Both phrases indicate a time in the past, but "many generations ago" specifically emphasizes the passage of time through successive generations. "A long time ago" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a generational connection.

When is it appropriate to use "not too many generations ago"?

"Not too many generations ago" suggests a time frame that is relatively recent, but still far enough in the past to be considered historical. For example, "Not too many generations ago, women were often discouraged from pursuing careers in science".