months ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"months ago" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to an event or situation that happened a specified number of months in the past (i.e. before the present). For example, "We first met six months ago at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Michael: Six months ago.

The New Yorker

Just months ago.

The New Yorker

Months ago.

The New Yorker

That was four months ago.

The New York Times

About two months ago Pres.

The New Yorker

Or even five months ago?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Three months ago, they separated.

The New York Times

Marin's bakery opened two months ago.

The Guardian

We discussed this months ago.

BBC

Nine months ago, they were married. .

BBC

This was true until 20 months ago.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "months ago", be specific if possible. Instead of just saying "months ago", specify the number of months (e.g., "three months ago") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing events that happened "months ago". Ensure the verbs in your sentence are consistently in the past tense. For example, instead of "It happens months ago", write "It happened months ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "months ago" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an event occurred. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase indicates a duration in the past relative to the present moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "months ago" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to events that happened a certain number of months in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves as an adverbial phrase of time, providing temporal context in various settings. While its use is prevalent across many domains, it appears most frequently in News & Media. For improved clarity, it's generally advisable to specify the exact number of months when possible. By avoiding tense inconsistencies and heeding to the usage examples, you can effectively incorporate "months ago" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several months earlier

Emphasizes the anteriority, positioning the event distinctly before the current or a reference time.

a few months prior

Specifies a slightly more formal tone and focuses on the temporal relation before a specific event.

some months back

Infuses a colloquial tone, making the reference to the past less formal.

a couple of months since

Highlights the duration from the event to the present, adding a sense of elapsed time.

within the last few months

Defines a range of time, indicating that the event occurred at some point during that period.

in recent months

Broadens the timeframe, referring to a period spanning the last few months rather than a specific point.

prior to a few months

Positions an event before a specified period, providing a formal and relative timeframe.

dating back several months

Implies the origin or starting point of something in the past, highlighting its historical context.

a number of months in the past

Offers a more descriptive and slightly more formal way to indicate a past occurrence.

ago by several months

Reverses the structure for emphasis, slightly altering the common word order.

FAQs

How do I use "months ago" in a sentence?

Use "months ago" to indicate a past event relative to the current time. For example, "The project was completed six "months ago"".

What are some alternatives to saying "months ago"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a few months prior", "several months earlier", or "some "months back"" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "months ago"?

While "months ago" is acceptable, being specific (e.g., "three months ago") enhances clarity. If the exact timeframe is unknown or unimportant, "months ago" is suitable; otherwise, provide the specific number of months.

What's the difference between "months ago" and "in recent months"?

"Months ago" refers to a point in time, while "in recent months" refers to a period. Saying "The change occurred months ago" pinpoints when it happened. Stating "There have been changes in recent months" indicates changes over a period, not a single event.