advanced age

USAGE SUMMARY

"advanced age" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is more elderly (past retirement age). For example, "She has been living alone since her husband passed away at an advanced age."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The leading risk factors are smoking, diabetes and advanced age.

The New York Times - Health

And he was candid in writing about advanced age.

The New York Times - Books

Other Mormon bloggers have commented on the men's advanced age.

Huffington Post

Your "advanced age" is an advantage in real estate sales.

Los Angeles Times

The principal risk factor for AD is advanced age.

Plosone

The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is advanced age.

Genome Medicine

In advanced age the expression culminates in active transposition.

Aging

Increased frequencies are found in children and advanced age.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Concurrent conditions included advanced age, malignancies, splenectomy, and AIDS.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Advanced age, meanwhile, can compound health risks of exposure.

The New York Times

Advanced age per se was not considered a contraindication.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, such as medical reports or research papers, use "advanced age" to precisely denote a specific age range (e.g., above 75 years) relevant to the study or analysis.

Common error

While "advanced age" is generally considered a polite term, avoid using it in contexts that perpetuate negative stereotypes about older people. Focus on individual characteristics and abilities rather than making generalizations based solely on age.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advanced age" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advanced age" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that respectfully describes someone as being elderly. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a suitable way to refer to someone who is past retirement age. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. When writing about the elderly, use "advanced age" with sensitivity, avoiding ageist stereotypes. Consider alternatives like "later years" or "elderly years" for more informal settings. Remember to maintain objectivity and respect, focusing on individual attributes rather than generalizations based on age. By doing so, you can use this phrase effectively while promoting inclusivity and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

old age

This alternative is a more general term for the later part of life.

elderly years

This alternative emphasizes the years of someone's life when they are old.

senescence

This is a more formal and scientific term for the process of aging.

later years

This is a gentler way of referring to the final period of someone's life.

golden years

This phrase is more celebratory of the time near the end of life.

declining years

This alternative focuses on the decline in health and abilities often associated with old age.

ripe old age

Emphasizes fullness of life and longevity achieved.

the autumn of life

A metaphorical expression for the later stages of life, drawing a parallel with the season of autumn.

frailty

Focuses on the condition of being weak and delicate, often associated with old age.

venerable age

Suggests respect and admiration due to someone's age and accumulated wisdom.

FAQs

What is an appropriate way to use "advanced age" in a sentence?

You can use "advanced age" to describe someone's age in a respectful manner, especially when discussing health or life expectancy. For example, "Due to her "advanced age", she required specialized medical care".

Are there less formal alternatives to "advanced age"?

While "advanced age" is already a relatively polite term, you could use phrases like "elderly years" or "later years" in more casual contexts.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the term "advanced age"?

Yes, avoid using "advanced age" in contexts where it could be seen as discriminatory or disrespectful. Focus on individual characteristics rather than age. For example, instead of saying "Despite his "advanced age", he is still very active", you could say "He remains very active".

How does "advanced age" compare to "old age"?

"Advanced age" and "old age" are similar, but "advanced age" can be perceived as more respectful and less blunt. "Old age" is more direct, while "advanced age" implies a greater degree of seniority.