at an age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at an age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time in someone's life, often when discussing milestones or experiences related to that age. Example: "At an age when most children are learning to read, she was already writing her own stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At an age when most have slowed down, Tao is ready for her next adventure.

Huffington Post

Helms is at an age of funerals.

The New York Times - Magazine

The pigs were slaughtered at an age of 175 days.

Gene

Female rats were ovariectomized at an age of 6 months.

Neuroscience

That's precious, at an age when you feel so lost.

The Guardian

They were subjected to Barnes maze at an age of 21 weeks and fear conditioning at an age of 24 weeks to assess their cognitive functions.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

Children learned several foreign languages at an age when their tongues were still flexible.

Princeton University

The electrical resistivity was less than 10 kΩ-cm at an age of 91 days.

Construction and Building Materials

The study of hardened concrete at an age of 90 days was considered as the reference.

Journal of Building Engineering

For this purpose, the prepared ECC specimens are pre-cracked at an age of 180 days.

Construction and Building Materials

ICR SCID mice at an age of ~6 weeks were used.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at an age" to provide context regarding developmental milestones or typical experiences associated with a particular life stage. For example, "At an age when most children begin school, she was already reading novels."

Common error

Avoid using "at an age" when referring to precise ages if precision is crucial. For instance, instead of saying "The study participants were recruited at an age between 25 and 30", be more direct: "The study participants were between 25 and 30 years old".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an age" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing or stage at which an action or event occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, offering ample examples of this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at an age" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that specifies when events occur within a lifespan. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and highly usable, as evidenced by its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, primarily in news, science, and media. The phrase’s neutrality makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though precision with exact ages may sometimes be more appropriate depending on context. Alternative phrases like "during that period of life" or "at a certain stage of life" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a certain stage of life

Replaces "age" with the broader term "stage", indicating a phase rather than a specific year.

at that stage

Uses "stage" to refer to a point in development, broadening the scope beyond just age.

during that period of life

Focuses on a specific 'period' of life rather than a general age.

during those years

Focuses on a span of years, rather than a specific age.

in their early years

Specifically denotes the beginning phase of life.

in one's youth

Specifically refers to the earlier stage of life.

later in life

Highlights an event occurring in the later stages of someone's existence.

when someone is young

Emphasizes youthfulness as the defining characteristic.

as they grew older

Focuses on the process of aging and its effects.

during their lifetime

Highlights an event occurring at some point in a person's life.

FAQs

How can I use "at an age" in a sentence?

You can use "at an age" to describe when something occurs in relation to a person's life stage. For example, "At an age when most children have conquered fractions, Alex wrestles with addition."

What are some alternatives to "at an age"?

Alternatives include "during that period of life", "in one's youth", or "at a certain stage of life", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in an age" instead of "at an age"?

While "in an age" can refer to a historical period, "at an age" is more appropriate when referring to a specific point in someone's lifespan. For example, you'd say "at an age when most drivers are long gone" not "in an age when most drivers are long gone".

When is it better to use a specific age instead of "at an age"?

If the exact age is relevant and known, use it directly. For instance, "She started college at 18" is clearer than "She started college at an age". However, if you want to generalize about a stage of life, "at an age" is suitable.