Ago: Meaning, Examples, and Correct Usage

Meaning 1：before now (ago)

ago 🔊

/əˈɡoʊ/

adv.

Used to say how much time has passed since something happened. It always comes after a time period, like 'two days ago'.

Girl pointing at old photo in album, representing past events ago

before now 🔊

➕

/bɪˈfɔːr naʊ/

adv.

Used to indicate that an event occurred at a specific time in the past, measured from the present moment. It always follows a time period or quantity.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'āgān' meaning 'departed', formed from 'ā-' (away, from) and 'gān' (go).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'a go' — a moment that has already gone away.

📖 Example

I finished my homework an hour ago, so now I can relax and watch a movie. 🔊 I finished my homework an hour ago, so now I can relax and watch a movie.

🔗 Collocations

long ago – a very distant time in the past

years ago – several years in the past

a while ago – some time in the past, not specified exactly

🔄 Synonyms

earlier (adv.) – at a previous time; before the present or a specified time

before (adv.) – at an earlier time; previously

previously (adv.) – before the present time; earlier

🚫 Antonyms

later (adv.) – at a subsequent or future time

after (adv.) – following in time; later

hence (adv.) – from this time onward; in the future

📖 Cultural Story

Ago originates from Old English 'āgān' (to go out, depart). Its usage after time expressions (e.g., 'two days ago') became standard in Middle English, emphasizing elapsed time.