while ago

USAGE SUMMARY

"while ago" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a time in the past that is not too distant, but not necessarily specific. It can also be used in casual spoken English. Example: "I saw her at the grocery store a while ago." In this sentence, "while ago" implies that the speaker saw the person at some point in the past, but is not able to give an exact timeframe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"She left a while ago".

The New York Times

But that was a while ago.

The Economist

"Quite a while ago," Grant said.

The New Yorker

Officially, the recession ended a while ago.

The New York Times

A while ago, our street caved in.

The New Yorker

Everybody else went home a while ago.

The New York Times

"We planned it out a while ago".

The New York Times - Sports

She answered: "Oh, quite a while ago".

Independent

Was it a while ago?

The Guardian - Music

It was a while ago".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A while ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while ago" when you want to indicate that an event happened in the past but don't need to specify exactly when. It's less precise than "yesterday" or "last week".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "while ago" in contexts where specific dates or timeframes are relevant. This can make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. It specifies a point in the past, without providing a precise timeframe. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase provides a temporal reference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while ago" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate an unspecified time in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in neutral to informal contexts, like news reporting and casual conversation. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of its vagueness and consider more precise language when specific time references are necessary. Alternative phrases include "some time back" or "earlier on", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some time ago

Interchangeable with the main query with minimum changes.

some time back

Emphasizes the passing of time more explicitly.

ages ago

Emphasizes the considerable distance to a past event or circumstance.

in the past

A more general reference to a prior period.

earlier on

Indicates a point relatively further back in the same timeframe or situation.

previously

A more formal way of saying before or formerly.

at one time

Suggests that something was true or occurred at a specific point in the past, but may not be anymore.

in former times

Refers to a time long ago, creating distance from the past event.

once upon a time

A phrase with story-telling connotation when speaking about old times.

in days gone by

Highlights the transition from a previous era.

FAQs

How can I use "while ago" in a sentence?

Use "while ago" to refer to an unspecified time in the past, for example: "I saw that movie a "while ago"."

What's the difference between "while ago" and "long ago"?

"While ago" refers to a more recent past than "long ago". Use "while ago" for events that happened in recent memory and "long ago" for events that occurred much further back.

What are some alternatives to "while ago"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "some time back", "earlier on", or "previously" instead of "while ago".

Is it appropriate to use "while ago" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "while ago" is more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language, such as "previously" or specifying the exact timeframe.