it long ago used

You could use it like that, but it would sound more natural to have it at the beginning

Long ago, the used to live in this house.

Long ago, they used to live in this house.

I would think the comma is not neccesary. Just move the adverbial phrase to the end of the sentnece: They used to live in this house long (a long time) ago.

It's not a question of necessity - fronting of phrases is an English mechanism for adding emphasis to a given phrase. Thus if you want to emphasize "long ago" add it to the beginning, if not add it to then end.

Rick Terry fronting of phrases is an English mechanism for adding emphasis to a given phrase. Thus if you want to emphasize "long ago" add it to the beginning, if not add it to then end.

I understand this part. My comment was intended to point out we can eliminate the comma by placing the phrase " long ago" at the end of the sentence. I can see your point abou

grammarfreakMy comment was intended to point out we can eliminate the comma by placing the phrase " long ago" at the end of the sentence.

Or at the beginning:

Long ago they used to live in this house.


And that doesn’t sound at all stiff to me.

Aspara GusAnd that doesn’t sound at all stiff to me.

Not at all, without the comma; that is.

grammarfreakNot at all, without the comma; that is.

I don’t think it’s stiff with the comma either. I don’t see how a punctuation mark could make such a difference.

Well, perception is everyting! Perhaps "stiff" may be a bit heavy. Between the options, I prefer without the comma.

Next week, I am going to see my girlfriend who lives in Vegas.
I am going to see my girlfriend who lives in Vegas next week.

grammarfreakwe can eliminate the comma by placing the phrase " long ago" at the end of the sentence.

Actually, I'd say that an adverbial phrase needs a comma at the beginning of a sentence if it is long.
A short phrase does not need a comma.

Every year that is evenly divisible by four and not a century year, he celebrates his birthday.
Every y