a very older

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very older" is not correct in written English.
It is incorrect because "older" is a comparative adjective and should not be preceded by "very." Example: "He is a very old man."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I always thought of them as being more like a very older brother and a much younger brother, not father and son," said Bob Ryan, a former NFL Films executive.

The New York Times - Sports

A very older gentleman on the plane was dehydrated.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A very old one.

The Economist

A very old song.

The Guardian - Film

It's a very old family.

The New Yorker

He is a very old-­fashioned guy.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm a very old lady".

The New Yorker

Water contamination is a very old problem.

The New Yorker

It has a very old-school feeling.

The New York Times

It is a very old hairball.

The Economist

They are a very old cheesemongers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "very" before comparative adjectives like "older". Instead, opt for alternatives such as "much", "significantly", or "considerably" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "very" with comparative adjectives. Always remember that comparative adjectives inherently imply a degree of difference, and "very" is typically used with positive-degree adjectives. For instance, use "much older" instead of "very older".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very older" attempts to function as a modifier, aiming to intensify the comparative adjective "older". However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves using intensifiers like "much" or "significantly" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a very older" might appear in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that using "very" to modify a comparative adjective like "older" is non-standard. For clearer and more accurate writing, it is best to use alternatives such as "much older" or "significantly older". This ensures your writing remains grammatically sound and professional. Based on the examples provided by Ludwig, most sources are news outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much older

Replaces "very" with "much", a more appropriate intensifier for comparative adjectives.

significantly older

Substitutes "very" with "significantly", emphasizing a greater age difference.

considerably older

Uses "considerably" to highlight the extent of the age difference.

substantially older

Similar to "significantly older", indicating a noteworthy age difference.

a lot older

More informal, replacing "very" with "a lot" for emphasis.

noticeably older

Indicates that the age difference is easily observed.

appreciably older

Highlights that the age difference is considerable and measurable.

markedly older

Emphasizes the distinct difference in age.

somewhat older

Suggests a slight, but still noticeable, difference in age.

a good deal older

An idiomatic way of expressing a significant age difference.

FAQs

Why is "a very older" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a very older" is incorrect because "older" is a comparative adjective. Comparative adjectives should not be intensified with "very"; instead, use intensifiers like "much" or "significantly."

What are some correct alternatives to "a very older"?

Instead of "a very older", use phrases like "much older", "significantly older", or "considerably older".

In what contexts might I mistakenly use "a very older"?

This error often occurs in informal speech or writing where strict grammatical rules are not closely followed. However, in formal writing, it's important to use correct intensifiers with comparative adjectives.

Is there any situation where "a very older" would be acceptable?

No, "a very older" is generally not considered acceptable in standard English. It is always better to use grammatically correct alternatives like "much older" to maintain clarity and professionalism.