Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone!

I'd like to ask how to use "ago" with words that don't mean length of time, such as year, day, or decade.

For example, is it okay to say as follows?

1.Many people told me they felt George Bush Sｅnior had been the President long time ago. In fact, he was only two presidents ago.

2. Harry Potter has studied Defence against the Dark Arts with many different instructors. Professor Lupin was four teachers ago and Harry says he was the best.

If the examples above aren't correct, Could I have some good ones?

Thank you!

yoshi-poohi

[bud]

Good job!

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone.

bud, thanks for your reply.



Can I have another example of using "ago" this way?

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh

[CP]

As you suspect, sometimes "ago" is used with something other than time--as in three days ago, or 100 years ago.

Whether it is "correct" or not I don't know, but people do sometimes say such things as your examples. You might also hear:

That's Susan. Three girlfriends ago.

He used to drink, but that was a lifetime ago.

Bruce Springsteen's work these days is better than it was a couple of albums ago.

Britney Spears was cute once--two husbands, two kids, and two arrests ago.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, CP

Thank you for many nice and funny examples.

I really appreciate it.

yoshi-pooh