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Mr. Tom Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

Bow and arrow...

Hi

Which of these is most natural? 

Bow and arrow were invented long ago.
The bow and arrow were invented long ago. (or was invented?)
The bow and the arrow were invented long ago.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

I'd pick the second, The bow and arrow were invented long ago , although the third, The bow and the arrow were invented long ago would work too. I don't care for the first. You could also say Bows and arrows were invented a long time ago .

— Blue Jay

  • I'd pick the second, The bow and arrow were invented long ago , although the third, The bow and the arrow were invented long ago would work too.
  • I don't care for the first.
  • You could also say Bows and arrows were invented a long time ago .
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6 Answers
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I'd pick the second, The bow and arrow were invented long ago, although the third, The bow and the arrow were invented long ago would work too. I don't care for the first. You could also say Bows and arrows were invented a long time ago.
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I have always used, “Bows and arrows were invented a long ago.”
If using ‘bow and arrow’, I would say, “The bow and arrow was invented…”, because it is one weapon with two parts (neither being useful without the other.)
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Thanks!

Any difference between long ago and a long ago?

Tom
wilpeterI have always used, “Bows and arrows were invented a long ago.”
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'A long ago' is a typo, Tom. We are all fallible.
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My apologies, I meant to type "a long time ago".
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When I read Wilpeter's reply I didn't notice the typo, and read it as Bows and arrows were invented long ago, which would work too.
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