a past age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a past age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a historical period or era that has already occurred. Example: "The architectural styles of a past age can still be seen in the buildings that remain today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Is it really possible to retrieve a past age?

The New York Times - Books

Although the sumptuousness itself set new standards, its characteristics belonged, curiously, to a past age.

Britannica

To many, AIDS seems like a relic of a past age, as treatable as diabetes.

The New York Times

Never can it come to love the children of a past age, any more than a woman can love the heroes of a past age, or a stepmother love the children of another woman.

Stanford University

When I mentioned it people looked at me as if I was a relic from a past age.

The Guardian

Across the US, there was a sense that he represented the achievement of a past age of American greatness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Only Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn and Cy Young have thrown a no-hitter past age 40, but Clemens, who turns 41 in August, has had 33 years to do it and never has.

The New York Times - Sports

And why shouldn't you be allowed to contribute to a traditional IRA past age 70½?

Huffington Post

3. You're a woman near or past age 50.

HuffPost

I have created an organization that looks past age, income, gender, location, and any other classification imposed on people.

Huffington Post

She's a lot younger than Sir Paul and is obviously smitten with him at the same time she considers him a relic of some mysterious past age.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a past age", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific era or time period you are referring to. Providing additional details helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a past age" when a more specific historical term or period could provide clearer context and enhance the accuracy of your writing. For example, use "the Victorian era" instead of "a past age" when discussing Victorian society.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a past age" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe a time period or era. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in contrasting historical practices with contemporary views or highlighting the characteristics of bygone periods.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a past age" serves as a general reference to historical times, often used to contrast with the present or to evoke a sense of nostalgia. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly news, encyclopedic entries, and academic discussions. While relatively uncommon, it's important to use this phrase with clarity and specify the historical period to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "a bygone era" or "a former time" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. While generally neutral in register, more precise historical terms might be preferable in specialized academic or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bygone era

Replaces "age" with "era", emphasizing a distinct period in history that is now gone.

a previous era

Similar to 'a bygone era' but uses "previous" instead.

a former time

Substitutes "past" with "former", highlighting that the time period is in the past.

an earlier period

Uses "earlier period" to convey a time before the present.

historical times

Replaces "a past age" with "historical times", emphasizing the historical aspect.

days of old

Evokes a more archaic and romanticized sense of the past.

times gone by

Uses a more poetic expression to refer to the past.

olden days

Implies a more traditional and simple time in the past.

ancient history

Refers to a very distant past, specifically.

yesteryear

A more concise and slightly nostalgic way of referring to the past.

FAQs

How can I use "a past age" in a sentence?

You can use "a past age" to refer to a historical period or era. For example, "The customs of "a past age" often seem strange to us today."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a past age"?

Similar phrases include "a bygone era", "a former time", or "historical times". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a past age" formal or informal?

"A past age" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in academic or scientific writing, using more precise historical terms might be preferred.

What's the difference between "a past age" and "ancient history"?

"A past age" is a general term for any time before the present, while "ancient history" specifically refers to the distant past, particularly before the Middle Ages.