very long ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"very long ago" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a distant or unknown date in the past. For example: "Very long ago, before the invention of the internet, people used to communicate by letter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not so very long ago.

The New Yorker

Now, of course, it's very long ago.

The New York Times

It wasn't very long ago that people smoked in hospitals.

Stanford University

It's how things were not so very long ago.

The Guardian - Sport

All of that seems very long ago, doesn't it?

The New York Times

To me, all that doesn't seem very long ago.

The New Yorker

Not very long ago huge beasts roamed every continent.

The Economist

Suddenly, Euro 96 did seem very long ago.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His early chance seems so very long ago now.

The Guardian - Sport

It all seemed so very long ago now.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not so very long ago..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone when using "very long ago". While appropriate in many situations, it may not be suitable for highly technical or scientific writing where precision is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "very long ago" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. While grammatically correct, it can sound less precise than alternatives like "in the distant past" or "many years ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very long ago" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It sets a temporal context, describing events that occurred in the distant past, as demonstrated by examples found in the provided data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very long ago" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase of time. It effectively sets a scene in the distant past and is versatile enough for both neutral and slightly informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, noting its prevalence across diverse sources. While predominantly found in news and media, alongside academic writing, it's essential to consider the audience and purpose to ensure the phrase's tone aligns with the overall communication objectives. Remember to avoid overuse in strictly formal or technical contexts, where alternatives emphasizing precision might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long time ago

This alternative is a more common and general way to express that something happened in the distant past.

ages ago

This alternative suggests a very long and indefinite period of time has passed.

in the distant past

This alternative places more emphasis on the remoteness of the event from the present.

in former times

This alternative is a formal way of referring to an earlier period, often in comparison to the present.

many years ago

This alternative specifies the passage of time in terms of years, making it more precise.

in the olden days

This alternative refers to an earlier period in history, often characterized by different customs and technologies.

in bygone days

This alternative evokes a sense of nostalgia and refers to a time that is noticeably different from the present.

in previous eras

This alternative refers to distinct periods in history, emphasizing a change in societal or geological conditions.

in ancient times

This alternative refers specifically to the historical period of antiquity.

once upon a time

This alternative is typically used to begin fairy tales and stories set in a vague, distant past.

FAQs

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

You can use "very long ago" to describe events that happened in the distant past. For example, "Very long ago, dinosaurs roamed the earth."

What are some alternatives to saying "very long ago"?

Alternatives include "a long time ago", "in the distant past", or "many years ago", depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "very long ago" a formal or informal expression?

"Very long ago" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's generally more common in narrative or descriptive writing. More formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or technical writing.

What is the difference between ""a long time ago"" and "very long ago"?

While both phrases indicate a distant past, "very long ago" emphasizes the remoteness of the event to a greater degree. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.