many moons ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"many moons ago" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means a long time ago, usually used to refer to a distant past time. Example: "Many moons ago, dinasours roamed the Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AiNoCorridaBrixton Many many moons ago.

The Guardian - Sport

That was many many moons ago.

The Guardian - Sport

'They thought that was good therapy, many moons ago.

The Guardian

He's where I thought I would be many moons ago.

The Guardian - Sport

John Langley: "Many, many, many moons ago, I started off as an escort.

Independent

Although, I must confess, that is exactly what I used to do, many moons ago.

Independent

On The Apprentice, "serious" left the room many moons ago and yet still we watch.

Independent

There was a nasty parallel with the Test match in Dhaka many moons ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Many moons ago, I left a job in a bank when I was five months pregnant.

The Guardian

"That bag was done many moons ago," Mr. Falchi said, touching it.

The New York Times

Are you able to confirm this?" asked Phil Preston, many moons ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many moons ago" to add a touch of whimsy or nostalgia to your writing, especially when describing events that occurred in the distant past. It's suitable for storytelling or informal contexts where a more evocative expression is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "many moons ago" excessively, as it can become repetitive and detract from the overall impact. Mix it up with other expressions like "a long time ago" or "in the distant past" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many moons ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or event occurred. It provides a temporal reference, specifying that something happened in the distant past, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many moons ago" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic phrase that signifies a time in the distant past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase adds a touch of color and nostalgia to writing, making it suitable for storytelling and informal communication. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "a long time ago" or "in the distant past" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time ago

This is a more straightforward and common way to express the same idea.

in the distant past

This phrase emphasizes the remoteness of the time being referred to.

ages ago

Similar to "a long time ago" but can imply a more significant duration.

years ago

A simple and direct way to state that something happened in the past, specifying the unit of time.

in bygone days

Evokes a sense of nostalgia and a time that is long gone.

in the olden days

Similar to "in bygone days" but perhaps slightly less formal.

once upon a time

A phrase typically used to start fairy tales, implying a very distant and often mythical past.

in days of yore

A more archaic and literary way of saying "long ago".

in the good old days

Implies a nostalgic view of the past, suggesting it was a better time.

back in the day

An informal way to refer to a time in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia.

FAQs

What does the phrase "many moons ago" mean?

The phrase "many moons ago" is an idiomatic expression that means a long time ago, typically referring to a distant past.

Is "many moons ago" a formal or informal expression?

"Many moons ago" is generally considered an informal expression, best suited for casual conversation, storytelling, or creative writing. It is less appropriate for formal or academic contexts.

What are some alternatives to saying "many moons ago"?

You can use alternatives such as "a long time ago", "in the distant past", or "ages ago" depending on the context.

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

You can use "many moons ago" to describe an event that happened in the distant past. For example, "Many moons ago, dinosaurs roamed the Earth."