ago
adverb
UK/əˈɡəʊ/US/əˈɡoʊ/
used with a time expression to indicate how far back in the past something happened
Example Sentences
They moved into their new apartment about six months ago.
I finished writing that report not long ago, so it should still be accurate.
He was here just a moment ago, but he stepped out to take a phone call.
My grandmother often shares stories about how life was many decades ago.
A decade ago, this city looked entirely different; new buildings and infrastructure have since transformed it.
I last saw my best friend years ago, yet I vividly remember our conversations as if they happened yesterday.
It feels like only seconds ago that I started this project, but the day has flown by.
The explorers set off on their journey ages ago, long before modern technology made travel easier.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Indicates how long in the past an event occurred.Use “ago” to specify the elapsed time between now and a past event. Typically, it follows expressions of time. For instance, saying “I moved here three years ago” means that three years have passed since you relocated. It’s a straightforward way to link a time frame to the present moment. Whether referring to seconds, days, or centuries, pairing a number or measure of time with “ago” guides listeners or readers to understand how far back in time something took place. While it’s mostly used in speech or writing to talk about personal experiences or historical points, it can also appear in informal contexts—like social media posts reflecting on a milestone—or more formal academic or historical texts discussing events that transpired decades or centuries in the past. Because “ago” always centers events within a backward-looking timeline from now, it keeps narratives clear and anchors any statement about time into a simple, universally recognized frame of reference.
Alternatives
If you need alternatives to “ago,” you might consider phrasing such as “in the past,” “previously,” or “earlier.” Each option alters the nuance slightly. “In the past” or “previously” can work in more formal or general statements, like “This was previously recommended by experts.” “Earlier” signals a recent shift but doesn’t necessarily specify how long. You might also use “back then” in casual conversation to evoke a somewhat nostalgic or storytelling tone. However, none of these terms encapsulates the exact numerical link to the present moment that “ago” carries. They’re more flexible but less precise about the elapsed time. If you do need precision without “ago,” consider adding a number directly: “Three years have passed since I moved here,” or “It has been three years since I relocated,” retaining a clear indication of the time duration. Ultimately, “ago” remains the most direct way to anchor an event’s timing relative to right now, so it tends to be the standard choice whenever clarity and specificity are paramount.
Writing
In writing, “ago” is invaluable for clarity and simplicity, especially when establishing chronology in essays, reports, or narratives. For example, “The fossils were unearthed 65 million years ago” instantly communicates how far back in Earth’s history those creatures lived. In personal narratives or memoirs, you might say, “I started my business two summers ago,” situating the event chronologically without unnecessary clutter. In research-based or historical texts, pairing “ago” with precise data, such as dates or measured durations, helps readers quickly gauge timelines, strengthening the piece’s sense of structure. Minimal adjustments—like placing “ago” after a time expression—keep your sentence construction neat and intuitive. Writers of fiction can also deploy “ago” for a sense of continuity, anchoring flashbacks or historical context with quick references like, “The war ended just a year ago,” so readers track the story’s timeline effortlessly. Overall, the key is balancing details—such as how many days, months, or years—with a clear transitional phrase, ensuring “ago” remains your simple, go-to term for past events relative to the current moment.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “ago” pops up frequently: “I had lunch two hours ago,” “We saw that movie a month ago,” or “He moved away a long time ago.” It’s short, direct, and universally understood, keeping small talk or storytelling easygoing and chronological. You can use “ago” to recount recent happenings—like “I just got back from the store five minutes ago”—or recall older memories—“I remember when we visited that theme park years ago.” Friends might tease each other, “That was so five minutes ago,” a playful twist suggesting the topic or style has already become outdated. No matter the timing, “ago” fits naturally into casual speech without adding formality. It’s simply the go-to word whenever you want to mark how much time has passed since some event, ensuring that everyone listening can track the narrative. Because it’s so straightforward, it avoids confusion or mixed signals. In short, if you need a simple, effective way to anchor a past event in relation to the present, “ago” is at your service in everyday dialogue.
Etymology
The term “ago” has roots in Middle English, originating from Old English phrases like “agone,” meaning “departed” or “passed.” Over time, it evolved into a standalone marker for indicating that a period has elapsed since a particular event. Earlier forms reflected the sense of something having gone away or drifted into the past. By the late medieval period, “ago” had taken on its modern use, clarifying just how far back in time a reference point stands from the present moment. This functional shift from “gone” to a specialized measure of elapsed time underscores how language adapts to spotlight practical expressions—here, the clarity of “x amount of time has passed since then.” The streamlined “ago” that we use today effectively merges the centuries-old notion of something passing into the distance with the everyday convenience of a single word that neatly conveys how long ago something occurred.
