Understanding 'Ago': The Essential Guide to Talking About Past Time in English
Introduction
The word ago is a simple but powerful time expression in English, used to indicate how far back in the past something happened. While its usage seems straightforward, many English learners struggle with its placement in sentences and its relationship with verb tenses. This comprehensive guide will clarify how to use ago correctly, common mistakes to avoid, and practical examples to help you master this essential time marker.
1. What Does "Ago" Mean?
Ago is an adverb that measures time from the present moment backward into the past. It always refers to a completed period of time between a past event and now.
Key Characteristics:
Always used with past time expressions (e.g., minutes, hours, days, years)
Only used with past simple tense
Comes after the time measurement
Example:
She left the company three months ago. (Correct)
She has left the company three months ago. (Incorrect - wrong tense)
2. Correct Sentence Structure with "Ago"
The standard word order is:
[Event] + [Time Expression] + ago
Examples:
I graduated five years ago.
They moved to Paris a week ago.
The train departed ten minutes ago.
Common Mistake:
Wrong: Ago five years, I graduated. (Incorrect word order)
Right: I graduated five years ago.
3. "Ago" vs. Other Time Expressions
| Word | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ago | Measures time backward from now | He called an hour ago. |
| Before | Refers to time earlier than another past event | She had left before I arrived. |
| Since | Marks the starting point of a continuing action | I've lived here since 2020. |
Important Note:
Ago cannot be used with present perfect tense (has/have + past participle).
Correct: I saw her a week ago.
Incorrect: I have seen her a week ago.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
❌ Using "Ago" with Present Perfect Tense
Wrong: They have arrived ten minutes ago.
Right: They arrived ten minutes ago.
❌ Placing "Ago" Before the Time Expression
Wrong: Ago two days, I visited the museum.
Right: I visited the museum two days ago.
❌ Confusing "Ago" with "For"
Wrong: I lived there ago five years.
Right: I lived there five years ago.
5. Advanced Usage: "Ago" in Questions and Negatives
Questions:
How long ago did you start learning English?
When ago did they announce the results? (Less common - better: How long ago...?)
Negatives:
I didn't see her a week ago, but I saw her yesterday.
6. Practical Applications in Daily English
In Storytelling:
"Three hours ago, I was at the cafe when I saw something strange..."
In Business/Formal Contexts:
"The report was submitted two days ago."
In Casual Conversation:
"I texted you five minutes ago! Did you get it?"
Conclusion
Mastering ago helps you speak and write about past events with clarity and precision. Remember:
Always use ago with past simple tense
Place it after the time expression
Never combine it with present perfect tense
With these rules in mind, you'll avoid common errors and communicate past events naturally in English.
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