"year ago" vs "a year earlier"

Question

"year ago" vs "a year earlier"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A year earlier' is used to refer to a specific point in time in the past, while 'a year ago' is used to indicate a general time frame in the past.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

Use 'year ago' when referring to a time that is one year before the present moment, without specifying a particular point in time.

Examples:

I visited Paris a year ago.
She moved to a new city a year ago.

Alternatives:

one year ago
a year in the past
a year back
a year before
a year prior

Use 'a year earlier' when you want to specify a particular time in the past that is one year before another specified time.

Examples:

He joined the company a year earlier than I did.
The event took place a year earlier than expected.

Alternatives:

one year before
a year before
a year prior
a year previously
a year back

Answer 1

year ago

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a general time frame in the past.

Answer 2

a year earlier

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a specific point in time in the past.