Past and present – English vocabulary
26 words · English vocabulary · Created by OpenQuiz Team
26 English words with meanings: a long time ago, after [time/event], after that, afterwards, ages ago… Study them with flashcards, quizzes and AI speaking…
Part of the learning path: Vocabulary in Daily Life - Pre-intermediate and intermediate
Word list
- a long time ago /ə lɔŋ taɪm ə'ɡoʊ/ (phrase) — in a time far in the past
Example:I met her a long time ago.
Synonyms: years ago, in the distant past - after [time/event] /'æf.tər/ (preposition) — at a time later than a named event or moment
Example:Call me after dinner.
Synonyms: following, later than - after that /'æf.tər ðæt/ (phrase) — following that; then
Example:We ate lunch, and after that we went home.
Synonyms: then, afterwards - afterwards /'æf.tər.wərdz/ (adverb) — at a later time; after that
Example:Afterwards, we walked to the park.
Synonyms: later, then - ages ago /'eɪdʒɪz ə'ɡoʊ/ (phrase) — a very long time ago
Example:I saw her ages ago.
Synonyms: a long time ago, years ago, long ago - alive /ə'laɪv/ (adjective) — living, not dead
Example:The fish is still alive.
Synonyms: living, active, breathing - as [when] /æz/ (conjunction) — at the same time that something happens
Example:As I walked home, it started to rain.
Synonyms: while, when - as soon as /æz su:n æz/ (phrase) — immediately when something happens
Example:Call me as soon as you arrive.
Synonyms: right after, immediately when - at first /æt fɜ:rst/ (phrase) — in the beginning, before anything else happened
Example:At first, I was nervous.
Synonyms: initially, in the beginning, originally - at the same time /æt ðə seɪm taɪm/ (phrase) — happening together
Example:We arrived at the same time.
Synonyms: simultaneously, together, at once - before [time] /bɪ'fɔ:r/ (preposition) — at a time earlier than a named moment or event
Example:Finish your homework before dinner.
Synonyms: prior to, earlier than - childhood /'tʃaɪldhʊd/ (noun) — the time in life when a person is a child
Example:She spent her childhood in Canada.
Synonyms: youth, early years, growing up - current /'kɝ:rənt/ (adjective) — happening or existing now, not in the past
Example:This is the current price.
Synonyms: present, existing - dead /dɛd/ (adjective) — no longer alive
Example:The bird was dead.
Synonyms: lifeless, deceased, not alive - eventually /ɪ'vɛn.tʃu.ə.li/ (adverb) — after a long time or many things have happened
Example:Eventually, they found the right answer.
Synonyms: finally, in the end - ever since /,ɛvər 'sɪns/ (phrase) — from a time in the past until now
Example:She has lived here ever since 2010.
Synonyms: since, from then on - finally /'faɪnəli/ (adverb) — at the last step or at the end
Example:Finally, we reached the top of the hill.
Synonyms: at last, in the end, eventually - first of all /,fɜ:rst əv 'ɔ:l/ (phrase) — used to introduce the first point in a list
Example:First of all, let's check the schedule.
Synonyms: to begin with, first, initially - first(ly) /fɜ:rst/ (adverb) — used to introduce the first point in a list
Example:First, we need to choose a topic.
Synonyms: first of all, to begin with, initially - for a start /fɔ:r ə stɑ:rt/ (phrase) — used to start by mentioning the first point
Example:For a start, we need more time.
Synonyms: to begin with, first of all, for one thing - for one thing /fɔ:r wʌn θɪŋ/ (phrase) — used to give one reason or point first
Example:For one thing, I don't have enough money.
Synonyms: for a start, first of all, to begin with - former /'fɔ:rmər/ (adjective) — having been true or used before now
Example:My former teacher now lives abroad.
Synonyms: previous, earlier, past - generation /,dʒɛnə'reɪʃən/ (noun) — all the people born around the same time
Example:My grandparents are from an older generation.
Synonyms: age group, cohort, era - go back /ɡoʊ/ (verb) — to return to a place or earlier time
Example:I want to go back home now.
Synonyms: return, come back, go home - go grey/bald/deaf (etc.) /ɡoʊ/ (phrase) — to become grey, bald, or deaf with age
Example:Many people go grey as they get older.
Synonyms: age, turn grey, go bald - in the end /ɪn ði: ɛnd/ (phrase) — after everything else has happened or been decided
Example:In the end, they chose the cheaper option.
Synonyms: finally, ultimately, at last
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