at that age

USAGE SUMMARY

"at that age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an age group, for example: "Most people don't have to worry about retirement planning at that age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My brother was driving at that age.

Independent

You never appreciate it at that age.

The New York Times

Not at that age".

The Guardian - Sport

Who doesn't at that age?

The New York Times

He was at that age".

The New York Times

"She's right at that age.

The New York Times

You take everything personally at that age.

The Guardian

And, at that age, I loved it.

The New York Times - Style

"I wasn't that attentive at that age.

The New York Times

They didn't know anything at that age.

The Guardian

You're just a sponge at that age".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at that age", ensure the context clearly defines or implies the specific age being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Children are more susceptible to peer pressure, especially "at that age" (early teens)".

Common error

Avoid using "at that age" as a blanket statement implying all individuals within a specific age group behave the same way. Acknowledge individual differences and avoid stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that age" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurs. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various sentences to pinpoint specific life stages or periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at that age" is a common and versatile adverbial phrase used to provide temporal context to a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in diverse sources, predominantly in news and media. When using "at that age", clarity is key: ensure the specific age is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding context. Avoid overgeneralizations, recognizing individual differences within age groups. Common alternatives include "during that period of life" and "in those years". By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "at that age" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during that period of life

Replaces "age" with "period of life", offering a slightly more formal tone.

in those years

Focuses on a specific span of time during someone's life.

when they were that old

More explicit about the age being referred to.

in their formative years

Refers specifically to the years of development and growth.

at their age then

Adds emphasis to the specific point in time being discussed.

at that point in their development

Focuses on the developmental aspect of a person's life.

at a similar stage of development

Focuses on the level of maturity rather than just chronological age.

when younger

A shortened, more informal way to say "at that age".

in their youth

Implies a younger age range.

back then

A more general way to refer to a past time.

FAQs

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

You can use "at that age" to refer to a specific period in someone's life. For example, "Most children are still learning basic math skills "at that age"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at that age"?

You can use alternatives like "during that period of life", "in those years", or "when they were that old" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the exact age when using "at that age"?

No, it's not always necessary. The specific age can be implied by the context of the sentence. For instance, if you're discussing teenagers, "at that age" would implicitly refer to the teenage years.

What's the difference between "at that age" and "at this age"?

"At this age" typically refers to the present age of the speaker or someone else currently being discussed, while "at that age" refers to a specific past age or a more general age range that is not the present age.