ago

ago — adverb

1. used after a length of time (such as two days, six months, ten years) to say how

1.副詞A2
釋義

used after a length of time (such as two days, six months, ten years) to say how long before now an event happened.

例句

Yael moved from Taipei to Tainan about three months ago.

[time period] + ago after a simple past verb

My grandfather built this wooden house over fifty years ago.

approximator 'over' before the time period

同義詞
  • before

    'before' marks a point earlier than another past moment (e.g. 'the day before'); 'ago' counts back from now.

  • previously

    more formal; doesn't require a measured time phrase and can stand alone.

  • back

    informal, often paired with 'ago' or used alone ('a few years back').

反義詞
  • from now

    points forward into the future ('two years from now').

  • hence

    formal/literary; means 'from now' ('a week hence').

文法句型

[time period] + ago

subject + simple past + ... + [time period] + ago

用法筆記

Only sense that takes a measured time phrase before it (e.g. 'two days ago'), never after. Pairs with the simple past, never the present perfect — distinguish from 'for' (duration up to now) and 'since' (starting point continuing to now).

常見錯誤

❌I bought the bike ago two years.
✅I bought the bike two years ago.
💡the time phrase always comes BEFORE 'ago', never after.
❌She has left the office ten minutes ago.
✅She left the office ten minutes ago.
💡use the simple past with 'ago', not the present perfect.
❌I have lived in Tainan for two years ago.
✅I moved to Tainan two years ago.' OR 'I have lived in Tainan for two years.
💡don't combine 'for' and 'ago'; pick one structure.

ago — adjective