Phrase
long ago
adverb
很久以前
at a time in the past, especially the distant past
- 1.
At a time in the past, especially the distant past.
在过去的某个时候,尤其是遥远的过去。
在过去的某个时候,尤其是遥远的过去。
In use
Long ago, people relied on horses for travel.
This castle was built long ago.
I read that story long ago and still remember it.
Long ago, ...
常用于故事开头，表示遥远的过去。
Long ago, people believed the Earth was flat.
很久以前，人们认为地球是平的。
... happened long ago.
That happened long ago.
那件事发生在很久以前。
as long ago as + 具体时间
用于强调具体时间点距今非常久远。
The first Olympic Games were held as long ago as 776 BC.
第一届奥运会早在公元前776年就举行了。
Common mistakes
I have visited that place long ago.I visited that place long ago.
“long ago”表示一个确定的过去时间点，应与一般过去时连用，而不是现在完成时。
I long ago met him.I met him long ago.
“long ago”作为时间状语，通常放在句首或句末，而不是动词之前，以避免不自然的语序。
Connections
Confusing words
- once upon a time
- 从前 · “once upon a time”通常用于童话或故事开头，带有文学色彩，而“long ago”是中性时间表达，无特定文体限制。
- ages ago
- 很久很久以前 · “ages ago”语气更加强烈，常带情感夸张，而“long ago”更客观中性。
Word family
- long-ago
- 很久以前的 · adj
Learner notes
Grammar Note
通常用于描述过去的事件，常放在句首或句末。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.