around the same age

USAGE SUMMARY

"around the same age" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people who are similar in age or to compare the age of two or more people. Example: The new students in my class are all around the same age, ranging from 18 to 22 years old. In this example, "around the same age" is used to describe the age range of the new students. Example: My sister and I are around the same age, but she is two years older than me. In this example, "around the same age" is used to compare the age of the speaker and their sister.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their Chinese co-workers are often around the same age.

The New York Times

Can it be a coincidence that all these children are around the same age?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She died around the same age, eight or nine months after she left.

The Guardian

It's half lads and half girls, all around the same age.

The Guardian

An equally dapper man of around the same age (Sam Robards) follows him.

The Guardian - Film

They are all at or around the same age of the four men at the top.

The New Yorker

They were all around the same age and shared a similar vision of documentary cinema.

The Guardian - Film

They were all 15, around the same age as M. and his friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was only 16 and all my pals were around the same age.

The Guardian - Sport

They are around the same age, they are both orphans and they are both very determined.

The Guardian

He was 22, around the same age as her two sons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing ages, ensure the context provides a clear reference point. For example, "The siblings are "around the same age", which made them inseparable playmates."

Common error

Be specific enough to provide relevant information when using "around the same age". Instead of saying "They were "around the same age"", specify an approximate range if possible: "They were "around the same age", give or take a year or two."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around the same age" functions as a prepositional phrase used to describe a similarity in age between two or more people. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common phrase. Examples show it modifying nouns to provide context about age relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around the same age" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that individuals are of a similar age. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, though it maintains a neutral formality. While acceptable in most settings, precise language may be preferred in more formal or scientific contexts when exact ages are known. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides a clear reference and avoid overly vague comparisons by including specific details when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately the same age

Replaces "around" with "approximately", emphasizing an estimated similarity.

roughly the same age

Uses "roughly" instead of "around", indicating an approximate or imprecise similarity in age.

about the same age

Replaces "around" with "about", conveying an approximation of age similarity.

of similar age

Simplifies the phrasing, focusing on the similarity in age without specifying 'around'.

nearly the same age

Substitutes "around" with "nearly", highlighting the closeness in age.

much the same age

Uses "much" to amplify the similarity in age.

in the same age bracket

Emphasizes that the individuals fall within a certain age range or category.

comparable in age

Focuses on comparing the ages, suggesting they are alike enough to be compared.

virtually the same age

Implies they are almost identical in age.

in a similar age group

Highlights belonging to the same age cohort or demographic.

FAQs

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

You can use "around the same age" to describe people who are close in age. For example, "The students in the class are all "approximately the same age"."

What's a more formal way to say "around the same age"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "of similar age" or "comparable in age". For example, "The candidates were "comparable in age" and experience".

Is it always appropriate to use "around the same age"?

While generally acceptable, "around the same age" is best suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal documents, more precise language might be preferred if exact ages are known.

What is the difference between "around the same age" and "exactly the same age"?

"Around the same age" implies an approximation, meaning the individuals are close in age but not necessarily identical. "Exactly the same age", on the other hand, indicates that they were born at the same time.