You should've realized that long ago/a long time ago/a lot sooner/earlier

[Topstudent]

I'm trying to write a script. A man's been cheating on his wife for years. A woman knows about it and is threatening to tell his wife.

Man: Please don't tell her, okay? I love her. I love her. She means everything to me.
Woman: You should've realized that long ago/a long time ago/(a lot) sooner/earlier. It's too late now.

Which of the underscored options would be natural?

 

[jutfrank]

Obviously, 'a long time ago' has a different meaning from 'sooner'. Which do you mean?

 

[Topstudent]

Obviously, 'a long time ago' has a different meaning from 'sooner'. Which do you mean?

Yeah, I know they're different, but either of them could be used in the context to mean almost the same, couldn't they?

- Which one of 'long ago' and 'a long time ago' would be more natural?

- Could either of 'sooner' and 'earlier' be used in this context?

 

[jutfrank]

Yeah, I know they're different, but either of them could be used in the context to mean almost the same, couldn't they?

No, they have quite different meanings. If you just mean 'before now', then use 'sooner'.