in a long ago time vs once upon a time

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Once upon a time' is a traditional opening for fairy tales, while 'in a long ago time' is a more poetic and less common way to refer to a distant past.

Last updated: March 08, 2024 • 902 views

in a long ago time

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in modern English. It has a poetic and nostalgic tone.

This phrase is used to refer to a distant past in a poetic or nostalgic way. It is not as commonly used as 'once upon a time.'

Alternatives:

long ago
in the distant past
in ancient times
in days of yore
in times long past

once upon a time

This phrase is a traditional opening for fairy tales and is widely recognized. It sets the stage for a story.

'Once upon a time' is used as a traditional opening for fairy tales to indicate that the story is set in an unspecified time in the past.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because once upon a time, a dear friend did the same exact thing for me.
Well, once upon a time, there was a lovely princess, and she lived in a kingdom ruled by evil men.
You were thick as thieves once upon a time.
Nowadays, technology leads to unemployment, whereas once upon a time it created employment.
Whatever Apollo might have been once upon a time...
I actually thought he was, once upon a time.
I was the family disappointment once upon a time.
I had quite a sizeable family once upon a time.
All I know is that, once upon a time, you wanted to walk in the woods with important people, and now, instead you're here.
I stayed in places exactly this once upon a time, in my wilderness years.
As I told you once upon a time... it's a chick thing.
I mean, she did have something on the ball once upon a time.
Now, that's a letter, once upon a time I would have found offensively dull.
I'm doing a movie with Pete berg and once upon a time he said we should meet.
I probably should have fired you once upon a time, but I don't want to fire you.
I partnered up with a youngling, once upon a time, by the name of Bill Allson.
I mean, sure, once upon a time, that special boy did call.
So your wife tells me you were pretty good at this once upon a time.
I actually think there used to be some shutters here once upon a time.
My parents, they hit me pretty hard once upon a time.

Alternatives:

long ago
in a faraway land
in ancient times
in a distant past
in days of yore

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in a long ago time vs once upon a time

in a long ago time

once upon a time

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