agoa‧go /əˈɡəʊ $ əˈɡoʊ/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Her husband died 14 years ago.long ago/a long time ago He should have finished at university long ago, but he kept taking extra courses.a minute/moment ago The little girl you saw a moment ago was my niece.a little/short while ago Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. They moved to a new house some time ago (=a fairly long time ago). We had our bicentenary celebrations not that long ago.GRAMMAR: Patterns with ago• Use the simple past, not the present perfect, with ago. You say: · I started a new job a few weeks ago. ✗Don’t say: I’ve started a new job a few weeks ago.• Don’t use a preposition such as ‘at’, ‘in’, or ‘on’ before a phrase with ago. You say: · They first met fifteen years ago. ✗Don’t say: They first met at/in/fifteen years ago.• Don’t use ‘since’ or ‘before’ with ago. You say: · I came to the US two months ago. ✗Don’t say: I came to the US since/before two months ago.
WORD ORIGINago
Origin:
1400-1500 From the past participle of ago ‘to pass away’ (11-17 centuries), from Old English agan, from gan ‘to go’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "When did you hurt your back?" "About a fortnight ago".
- "When did you live in Germany?" "Oh, it was a long time ago."
- Did you see that program about genetics that was on a little while ago?
- George went out half an hour ago. Can I have him call you back?
- How long ago did you buy the computer?
- How long ago was that, Dad?
- I had my keys a minute ago, and now I can't find them.
- I met your father once, a long time ago.
- Lucy's aunt died a few months ago.
- Michael left the office 20 minutes ago.
- Michael left the office about half an hour ago.
- My daughter was married just over a year ago.
- Pauline wrote to me once, but that was ages ago.
- We went down to see a show in London not so long ago.
- After all, he was supposed to have been hanged half a century ago.
- Even their twittering seems fairly low-key compared with the excited sounds they made just a few weeks ago.
- That was less than three and a half hours ago, but it might have been years.
- The company a year ago changed its reporting period to a fiscal year that ends March 31 from a calendar year.
- The good ole boys had their day two years ago.
- The gun was pieced together over twenty years ago by Caltech geophysicist Tom Ahrens.
- The only thing we ever get is old, stale news about where they used to be, some time ago.
- Thirty years ago 33 % of university students were female; now there are more women than men.
Longman Language Activatorbefore now
before now or before the time you are talking about: · I had never seen such an ugly baby before.· Wendell had never been on a plane before.the day/week/year etc before: · Sheila and I became friends in 1995, although we had actually met several years before.
: five minutes/two weeks/20 years etc ago five minutes, two weeks, twenty years etc before now: · George went out half an hour ago. Can I have him call you back?· Lucy's aunt died a few months ago.a long time ago: · "When did you live in Germany?" "Oh, it was a long time ago."ages ago spoken (=a very long time ago): · Pauline wrote to me once, but that was ages ago.
at some time, date, year etc before now or before the time you are talking about: · Didn't I give you the key earlier?earlier in the day/year etc: · I saw Barbara earlier in the day - she looked pretty upset.20 years earlier/10 minutes earlier/moments earlier etc: · Three years earlier, Miller had been happily married, with a good job.
before a time or event in the past: · Hastings previously worked for a software company in Richmond.· The bombing is being blamed on a previously unknown group of terrorists.two days/three weeks/six months etc previously: · She had met Atwood at a conference a few weeks previously.
formal during a period in the past but not now: · Milligan, 43, was formerly a deputy foreign minister.· Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish.· Watkins was formerly editor of the Express, a local weekly newspaper.
when something happened a short time ago · Sorry, she just left for home. Can I take a message?· The war had just ended, and the country's economy was in ruins.· You've had your hair cut, haven't you? I've just noticed.· I just heard the news! Congratulations!
especially British a very short time ago: · It's noon, and she's only just got up.· I've only just passed my driving test, so I'm still a little nervous.
also a moment ago especially British spoken a very short time ago - use this especially when a situation has changed: · She was here a minute ago.· There was a phone call for you a second ago, but I didn't know where you were.· What did I do with my glasses? I had them in my hand a moment ago.
also just this minute British spoken a very short time ago - use this especially when you are answering someone who is looking for someone else: · "Have you seen Carl?'' "I just this minute hung up on him.''· She just now left, so she should be home by six.· Didn't I just this minute tell you to tidy your room!· Sandy was on the Internet just now, that's why the phone was busy.
also hardly/scarcely British spoken use this to say that something had just happened when something else happened: · I had scarcely opened the door when the dog came running in.· She had barely slept 10 minutes before she was woken up again.· The class had barely started when the fire bell rang.· Hardly had King finished speaking when a shot was fired by someone in the crowd.
only a short time ago if something happened recently , it happened a short time before now, especially a few days or weeks ago: · The President has recently returned from a five day tour of South America.only recently: · a new species of plant that was only recently discovered in southern Braziluntil recently: · He lived in Boston until quite recently.· Until recently, commercial fishermen had been allowed to shoot sea lions if they tried to steal their catch. very recently: · "When did she go back to Italy?" "Oh, very recently - just a couple of days ago."as recently as (=used when something happened surprisingly recently): · As recently as the mid sixties, Nelson Rockefeller was considered unsuitable for the presidency because he had once been divorced.recently discovered/completed/built etc: · a recently published textbook· the recently industrialized countries of Southeast Asia
in the recent past: · Not long ago, computers were crude, unreliable machines, used by only a few experts.· Not long ago I asked a friend what her children gave her for her birthday. "Peace," she said. "They went out for the day."not so long ago: · There was a time not so long ago when everyone felt confident about investing in property.
very recently: · So what is the government's reaction to this news? A short time ago our political correspondent Jon Lander spoke to the Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook.· The red wolf survived until a short time ago in east Texas, but is now believed extinct in the wild.only/just a short time ago: · Seeing the tramp, Thomas remembered how he himself had been poor only a short time ago.
: newly formed/created/appointed/married etc formed, married etc very recently, especially during the last few days or weeks: · A newly married couple have moved into the house next door.· The group meets regularly in the newly built Chinese community center.· Mr Chandler is now director of the company's newly formed publishing division.
: freshly cut/cooked/made/painted etc cut, cooked etc a very short time ago, especially during the last few minutes or hours: · There's a pot of freshly made coffee on the kitchen table.· Add one clove of freshly crushed garlic.· Someone had placed a bunch of freshly cut roses on her desk.· At the beginning of term the school looked bright and clean with its freshly painted walls and polished floors.
spoken use this to say that something happened or you did something recently: · I met Lucy the other day outside Budgens.· Well, did my dad tell you what happened to me in the car the other day?just the other day: · I can't believe this weather - it was freezing just the other day!
a short time ago, usually not more than a few hours: · "Is there a Mrs Lambert staying at the hotel?'' "Yes, she checked in a short while ago.''just a short/little while ago: · Bobby's attorney gave me a call just a little while ago, to talk about the terms of the will.
informal fairly recently, usually a few weeks or months ago: · I broke my leg a little while back when I fell off a horse.
what hour, day etc something happens the particular minute or hour of the day when something is planned to happen, or the particular minute or hour that it happened in the past: the time of something: · Could I have the times of the trains to Birmingham please?· This leaflet lists the dates and times of all the concerts.· The police are still trying to establish the exact time of her death.what time?: · What time did you see the man leave the bus station?· What time do you usually start in the mornings?· What time is the news on?departure/arrival time (=the time when a train, plane, etc leaves or arrives): · The departure times are posted on our website.· The plane's estimated arrival time is 19:45.opening/closing time (=the time when a shop, office etc opens or closes): · We went into a cafe and sat there until closing time.· I've got to get this to the video store by closing time.opening times (=the normal times when a shop is open): · Check with the museum for opening times at www.musart.co.lunchtime/dinnertime etc (=the time when you have a meal): · Robbie! It's suppertime!time of year/day etc: · The winds are pretty strong at this time of year.· There won't be much traffic on the roads at this time of night.by that time (=after a particular hour of the day or night has passed): · Well, most people had gone to bed by that time of night.· She apologized for being late, but by that time I was really annoyed with her.
the day, month, or year when something is planned to happen, or happened: · Do you know the date when the house was built?· We still haven't received notification of the exam date.the date(s) of something: · Give me the dates of the American War of Independence.· June 9th is the date of the European elections.date for: · We need to arrange a date for the next meeting.· A date for his release has not yet been agreed.set a date (for something) (=choose a particular date): · Have they set a date for the wedding yet?birth date/date of birth (=the date on which someone was born): · It helps if you provide your birth date and Social Security number.· Could I have your name and your date of birth please?start date (=the date when something begins, especially a job): · I later received confirmation of my new job in a letter indicating the start date.closing date (=the date when a competition, offer etc ends): · The closing date for entries is 3 March 2001.expiry dateBritish /expiration date American (=the date on which something can no longer be used): · Key in your credit card details, including the expiration date of the card.· Are you sure these yoghurts are ok? Have you checked the expiry date?launch/release date (=the date when a new product, film, etc is shown to people): · "Snow White" had a December release date to capture the Christmas market.
a fixed period of time in the day when a particular activity, business etc happens: · I'd like to return something to your store - what are your hours?office/opening/business hours (=when an office, shop etc is open): · Our telephone hotline is open during regular business hours.visiting hours (=when you can visit someone in the hospital): · Visiting hours are from 2 to 5 every day.after hours (=after an office, shop etc is closed): · After hours callers can leave a voicemail message.out of hours British (=before or after the usual business hours): · What was Tom doing in the office out of hours?
a particular period or point of time during the day or night: at this hour (=very late at night or early in the morning): · Sir, I'm sorry to bother you at this hour.at some ungodly hour informal (=very late or very early): · We had to get up at some ungodly hour to catch our train.at all hours: · There's something happening on our street at all hours of the day and night.lunch/dinner hour: · I hate telemarketers who call during the dinner hour.
a word meaning the time, day, or date that something is planned to happen, used especially when you are considering how suitable this is: timing of: · The voter survey is crucial to the timing of the election.
use this with hours and minutes of the day, special holidays, or the beginning or end of a period of time: at six o'clock/half-past four/midnight/lunchtime etc: · He starts work at 10, and finishes at 6:30.· Would you like to go to the sandwich bar at lunchtime?· I have a hospital appointment at 9.00 am.at Christmas/Easter/New Year: · We get a week's holiday at Easter.· What are you doing at Christmas?at the end/beginning/start (of something): · Frank joined the navy at the beginning of the war.· We get paid at the end of the week.· The students all do a short test at the start of term.
use this with particular days: · The team holds a meeting on the first Monday of every month.· I tried to catch him on the last day of term, but he'd already left.on Monday/Tuesday night/Friday evening etc: · We're going out for dinner on Friday.· Are you doing anything special on Saturday night?on August 12th/March 2nd etc: · She was born on May 12, 1913.· The course starts on 14 October.on my birthday/their wedding day/Valentine's day etc: · Did you call dad on Father's Day?· Aren't you coming here on Christmas Day?on Thursdays/Fridays etcalso on a Thursday/Friday etc British (=every Thursday, Friday etc): · Her husband takes her shopping on a Saturday to Asda.· We always go to the pub on Fridays.
use this with parts of the day, particular years, or particular months, and seasons of the year: in the morning/afternoon/evening: · I'm usually too tired to cook a meal in the evening.· We didn't get to bed until 3 o'clock in the morning.first thing in the morning (=very early in the morning): · I want to be ready to leave first thing in the morning.in 1892/2001 etc: · In 2004, the Olympic Games will be held in Athens.in the fifties/sixties/1990s etc (=from 1950 to 1959, 1960 to 1969 etc): · He did a lot of abstract art in the sixties, but he's moved on since then.in January/February/the autumn etc: · I came to England in the summer of 1995.· The series returns in the autumn.· "How old is Philip now?" "He's four in December".
use this to say how far back in the past something happened: 5 minutes/an hour/100 years etc ago: · Michael left the office 20 minutes ago.· "When did you hurt your back?" "About a fortnight ago."· My daughter was married just over a year ago.a long time ago: · I met your father once, a long time ago.a short time ago/a little while ago: · Did you see that program about genetics that was on a little while ago?a minute/moment ago: · I had my keys a minute ago, and now I can't find them.not so long ago (=used to say that something was quite a short time ago): · We went down to see a show in London not so long ago.how long ago? (=used to ask how far back in the past something happened): · How long ago was that, Dad?· How long ago did you buy the computer?
at exactly a particular time and not any earlier or later: · On the stroke of midnight, the British flag was lowered for the last time over Delhi.· The judge entered the courtroom at the stroke of nine.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Her husband died 14 years ago. He should have finished at university long ago, but he kept taking extra courses. The little girl you saw a moment ago was my niece. Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. They moved to a new house some time ago (=a fairly long time ago).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She died a long time ago. We went to Blackpool once, yonks ago.
Her husband died 14 years ago. He should have finished at university long ago, but he kept taking extra courses. The little girl you saw a moment ago was my niece. Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. They moved to a new house some time ago (=a fairly long time ago).· He left an hour ago.
She died a long time ago.· I saw him outside just a moment ago.
We went to Blackpool once, yonks ago.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► light years ago
used to show how far back in the past something happened5 minutes/an hour/20 years etc ago- He left Derby many moons ago complaining they gagged him.
- Several colour strains have bee bred since the original black and silver variety came out on the market many moons ago.
- When I got my first laser printer many moons ago, my bank manager almost had a heart attack.
Her husband died 14 years ago.long ago/a long time ago He should have finished at university long ago, but he kept taking extra courses.a minute/moment ago The little girl you saw a moment ago was my niece.a little/short while ago Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. They moved to a new house some time ago (=a fairly long time ago). We had our bicentenary celebrations not that long ago.GRAMMAR: Patterns with ago• Use the simple past, not the present perfect, with ago. You say: · I started a new job a few weeks ago. ✗Don’t say: I’ve started a new job a few weeks ago.• Don’t use a preposition such as ‘at’, ‘in’, or ‘on’ before a phrase with ago. You say: · They first met fifteen years ago. ✗Don’t say: They first met at/in/fifteen years ago.• Don’t use ‘since’ or ‘before’ with ago. You say: · I came to the US two months ago. ✗Don’t say: I came to the US since/before two months ago.