Correcting Grammar: 'Long Ago' and Past Tense Verbs

In the realm of creative writing and literature, maintaining grammatical accuracy can be both a challenge and a necessity. One common issue that often arises is the timing of past-tense verbs, especially when describing events that occurred in the distant past. This article will elucidate the proper use of 'long ago' in conjunction with the correct verb forms, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

Understanding 'Long Ago'

When you use the phrase 'long ago,' you are referring to an event or a situation that happened in the past, often a significant amount of time ago. This phrase is frequently used to establish the context and the timeline of the narrative. Importantly, it demands a specific verb tense to maintain grammatical consistency.

Proper Verb Tenses for 'Long Ago'

The correct verb tenses to use with 'long ago' are simple past or past indefinite. This is because 'long ago' indicates that the action is completed and is not ongoing. Here are some examples to illustrate the usage:

Simple Past: 'Long ago, it was written that only Greek and Latin grammar were correct.' Past Indefinite: 'Long ago, it was said that only Greek and Latin grammar were correct.'

Understanding Passive Voice

Both 'was written' and 'was said' are in the passive voice. In passive construction, the focus is on the action or the result, rather than the person performing the action. This is critical in certain contexts, such as when the subject is unknown or irrelevant. Here are additional examples:

Simple Past Passive Voice: 'A letter was written by me long ago.' Past Indefinite Passive Voice: 'A letter was said to be written by me long ago.'

Present Tense with 'Long Ago'

However, if the present tense is required, you can use 'is written' or 'is said,' but this is often more suitable for situations where the information is considered current in the context of the narrative. For example:

Simple Present Passive Voice: 'It is written that long ago, we thought only Greek and Latin grammar were correct.' Present Indefinite Passive Voice: 'It is said that long ago, we thought only Greek and Latin grammar were correct.'

Example Sentences

To solidify the understanding, here are some example sentences to showcase the proper usage:

1. Correct Grammatical Form:
A letter was written by me long ago.

2. Incorrect Grammatical Form (with 'is written':
A letter is written by me long ago. (Incorrect, as it is in the present tense and does not match the context of 'long ago')

3. Incorrect but Acceptable in Religious Speech (with 'is written':
It is written that long ago, we thought only Greek and Latin grammar were correct. (Acceptable in religious writing or speech, but not strictly grammatically correct in general contexts)

Conclusion

The key takeaway is to ensure that when you use the phrase 'long ago,' the verb that follows is in the correct past tense form. This adherence to grammatical rules not only enhances the clarity of your writing but also allows a more effective conveyance of your intended message. Whether you opt for the simple past, past indefinite, or present tense, the use of 'long ago' should be accompanied by the appropriate verb form to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can 'is written' be used after 'long ago'?
A: No, 'is written' is not correct in this context. It should be 'was written' to maintain grammatical consistency with the past tense 'long ago.' Q: Is 'It is written' always incorrect?
A: While it is generally incorrect, in religious writing or speech, some people may use 'It is written' to indicate a sacred text or a statement attributed to a religious source. Q: How do I correctly use 'long ago' with a passive voice construction?
A: Use 'was written,' 'was said,' or other similar passive voice constructions to match the historical or past context conveyed by 'long ago.'