approximately the same age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately the same age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the ages of two or more people or things that are close in age but not exactly the same. Example: "The two siblings are approximately the same age, making it easy for them to relate to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of approximately the same age as the Sebilian are several Epi-Levalloisian sites in the Lower Nile drainage, including the Fayyūm Depression and the al-Khārijah (Kharga) Oasis.

Britannica

The big problem with this idea was that all mountain ranges should be approximately the same age, and this was known not to be true.

University of California, Berkeley

Widespread distribution of 'TCC-style' cycles of approximately the same age suggests a regional (Western Mediterranean) or global control on sea-level change responsible for TCC cycles.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

"Here are two people of approximately the same age, who went to college in the 60's and who responded antithetically to the cultural chasm," said Fred I. Greenstein, a presidential scholar who teaches at Princeton.

The New York Times

"So you have four infants, approximately the same age, same hair color, look enough alike that they can double each other," said Chris Riddle, an assistant director for film and television.

The Guardian - Film

Both were well-established writers; both women of approximately the same age and culture; both sat within 10 feet of each other to witness the same performance.

The New York Times

In such situations, mothers-in-law and sons-in-law are likely to be of approximately the same age and therefore to be potential (if illicit) sexual partners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As college students are approximately the same age, data collected at different time points using the same instrument allowed us to assess if these dimensions of perfectionism were changing over time.

Harvard Business Review

There are nearly 1,100 results for "physics rap," 1,000 for "Guitar Hero robot" and 3,000 for "solving Rubik's cube blindfolded," all with approximately the same age distribution as the result list in the article.

The New York Times

Imagine four little girls — Jane and Maggy Cummins, Jenny and Patricia Stuart, two pairs of sisters, each pair of approximately the same age — who are deeply bonded to one another, all the more so because their smart, glamorous mothers and fathers are the closest of friends.

The New York Times - Books

As static controls, 5 small P. lutea colonies (similar in size to the coralliths and assumed to be approximately the same age), were carefully removed from static substrate (CCA cemented reef framework) in the same localized area, between near- and mid-shore transect sites.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing ages, be specific about the degree of approximation if precision is important. Instead of just saying "approximately the same age", you could add context, such as "approximately the same age, within a year or two".

Common error

Avoid using "approximately the same age" when the age difference is significant. This phrase is best suited for differences that are relatively small and inconsequential for the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately the same age" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (person, object, etc.) by indicating its age relative to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction for expressing age similarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately the same age" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating a close similarity in age. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct. Its primary function is to compare the ages of people, objects, or events, suggesting that they are close in age without being exactly the same. This phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including scientific research, news reports, and encyclopedic articles, highlighting its widespread applicability. While alternatives like "nearly the same age" and "roughly the same age" exist, "approximately the same age" maintains a balanced level of formality suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same age

Implies a negligible difference in age.

nearly the same age

Expresses a very close similarity in age, almost identical.

practically the same age

Indicates the ages are so close that the difference is insignificant.

almost the same age

Highlights that the ages are very close to being identical.

roughly the same age

Indicates a general similarity in age, allowing for minor differences.

about the same age

A common and informal way of saying the ages are close.

around the same age

Similar to "about the same age" but suggests a less precise estimate.

close in age

Emphasizes the proximity of the ages to each other.

of similar age

More formal way of indicating that the ages are comparable.

comparable in age

Focuses on the comparability of the ages rather than exact similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "approximately the same age" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately the same age" to compare the ages of people, objects, or events, suggesting a close but not necessarily exact match. For example: "The twins are "nearly the same age"."

What are some alternatives to "approximately the same age"?

Some alternatives include "roughly the same age", "about the same age", or "nearly the same age", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is it better to say "approximately the same age" or "exactly the same age"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "exactly the same age" when the ages are identical. Use "approximately the same age" when there's a slight difference. For example, twins might be said to be "approximately the same age" even if there's a few minutes difference.

What is the difference between "approximately the same age" and "of similar age"?

"Approximately the same age" implies a closer age range than "of similar age". "Of similar age" is more general and can be used when the ages are reasonably close but not necessarily almost identical.