Years before Vs Years ago

Question

what's the difference between years before and years ago?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

"Years ago" references the present.

Are you still dating Marjorie? (reply) That was years ago!

"Years before" references some particular "other" point in time.

Didn't that happen during the Eisenhower administration? (reply) No. That was years before.

Anonymous · Answer

thank you very much but I'm afraid I still can't differentaite between them

can you help me ? anybody ?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Avangi's explanation is simple enough. What part do you not understand?

Years ago = years before now.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm sorry, but could you be more specific?

I still don't know how to use it, excuse me

Mister Micawber · Answer

OK—please try to make some sentences, post them here, and we'll check them for you.

Avangi · Answer

Avangi"Years before" references some particular "other" point in time.

Didn't that happen during the Eisenhower administration? (reply) No. That was years before.

Hi,
On reading this again, I notice that my "Years before" example is ambiguous.

In "That was years before," that could refer to the thing which happened, or it could refer to the Eisenhower administration.

World War I happened about 20 years before World War II.

World War I happened about 90 years ago.

Years before Vs Years ago

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