long ago
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: At a time in the far past; a long time in the past.
Usage and Examples
- Adverb: Used to indicate that something happened a very considerable time before the present.
- We met once, long ago.
- They long ago forsook their nomadic life.
- He left for work long ago.
Advanced Usage
- "long since": A formal or literary variant meaning the same as "long ago," emphasizing that the action was completed far in the past and its effects continue to the present.
- He has long since given up mountain climbing.
- This name has long since been forgotten.
Variants and Related Words
- Lang syne (adverb): A Scottish term meaning "long ago" or "in times long past," famously used in the song "Auld Lang Syne."
- Once upon a time (phrase): A traditional story-opening phrase meaning "long ago."
Synonyms
- Ages ago
- In the distant past
- Once
- Far back
Notes on Meaning
This adverb refers to a point in time, not a duration. It describes when something happened, not for how long it happened. It is typically used at the end of a clause or sentence.
Adverb
- of the distant or comparatively distant past
- We met once long ago
- they long ago forsook their nomadic life
- left for work long ago
- he has long since given up mountain climbing
- This name has long since been forgotten
- lang syne is Scottish