a year old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a year old" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the age of something or someone. For example: "This tree is two hundred years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Until they're a year old.

The New York Times

He was a year old.

The New York Times

Ms. Jackson was just a year old.

The New York Times

"This is now over a year old".

The New York Times

Simon is a year old.

The New York Times

John is a year old.

The Guardian

Guardian Law is a year old.

The Guardian

Her youngest was a year old.

The Guardian

Palomino is not yet a year old.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just a year older.

The New York Times - Sports

"Gus" is a year-old Surface RT tablet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, follow "a year old" with specific units like months or days. This helps avoid ambiguity, especially when discussing the development stages of infants or the age of time-sensitive projects.

Common error

Avoid using a hyphen when "year old" follows a noun. For instance, say "the child is a year old" instead of "the child is a year-old". However, use a hyphen when it precedes the noun, such as "a one-year-old child".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a year old" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to specify age. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used across various types of English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a year old" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something has existed for one year. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from personal anecdotes to formal reports. Be mindful of hyphenation rules when using it as a compound adjective, and consider more precise alternatives like "twelve months old" when greater specificity is required. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-year-old

Adjectival form used to describe something that is one year old. Hyphenated for clarity.

one year of age

Formal way to state the age, focusing on the duration of existence.

twelve months old

Specifically denotes the age in months rather than years.

aged one year

Indicates the age with a slightly more formal tone.

a year since birth

Highlights the time elapsed from the moment of birth.

at the age of one

Highlights a specific point in time when something was one year old.

having reached one year

Emphasizes the completion of a year of life or existence.

in its first year

Suitable for describing the initial phase of an organization or project.

first anniversary

Used to mark the completion of the first year of an event or establishment.

initial year

Focuses on the first year as a period of time, often implying the start of something.

FAQs

How do I use "a year old" in a sentence?

The phrase "a year old" is used to specify the age of someone or something. For instance, "The company is "a year old"", or "My daughter is "a year old"".

What can I say instead of "a year old"?

You can use alternatives like "one year of age" (formal), "twelve months old" (specific), or "aged one year" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "a year old" or "one year old"?

Both "a year old" and "one year old" are correct. "A year old" is more common in general usage, while "one year old" may be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts.

Is it "a year old" or "year-old"?

Use "year-old" as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "a year-old company"). Use "a year old" when it follows a linking verb (e.g., "the company is a year old").