at their older

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their older" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "Children often become more independent at their older ages."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It has been left behind in hot areas such as search and social networking by younger companies, some of which love to thumb their noses at their older rival.

The Economist

This could be due to the fact that female camels were brought for slaughter at their older age after completion of the reproductive age [26], [31].

Plosone

Major depression in individuals who had the first depression episode at their older ages (typically older than 50 years) is often referred as geriatric depression.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A few strained at their old material.

The New York Times - Arts

So, at their old fighting weight, they get crowded out.

The Guardian

Fanzine King of the Kippax (named after a stand at their old Maine Road stadium).

Independent

At their old campsites into the next day, whiskey flowed unendingly.

The New York Times

Dominique Cohen, an expensive jeweler, opened a shop last fall at their old address.

The New York Times

Essendon took another hit of $806,000 as they wrote off assets at their old Windy Hill ground.

The Guardian - Sport

After a taxpayer bailout, the financiers are back at their old games, fighting against new rules.

The New York Times

THE classmates crouched at their old desks and posed for a latter-day version of the old class picture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to age, use grammatically correct phrases such as "as they get older", "in their later years", or "at an advanced age" instead of the incorrect phrase "at their older".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "at their older" as it is not grammatically sound. Instead, opt for phrases like "in their later years" or "as they age" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their older" functions as an incomplete adverbial phrase. It attempts to modify a verb or clause by indicating a time or condition related to age. However, as Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their older" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates it is an incomplete expression. Although examples exist in news and scientific sources, these instances do not validate the phrase's correctness. For clear and correct writing, it is best to use alternatives like "in their later years" or "as they age". While aiming to describe conditions or situations related to age, the flawed grammar diminishes the phrase's effectiveness. Therefore, avoiding "at their older" will lead to more precise and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their old age

Highlights the final stage of life, replacing "older" with the more direct "old age".

in their later years

Emphasizes a more general timeframe of advanced age, replacing "older" with "later years" for improved clarity.

at an advanced age

Uses a more formal and precise term to describe being older.

as they age

Focuses on the process of growing older, using a simple and grammatically sound construction.

later in life

Shifts the focus to a period later in someone's life, avoiding the comparative "older".

when they are older

Rephrases the concept to clarify a future time when someone is at an advanced age.

with advancing years

Emphasizes the progression of time and aging, offering a more poetic alternative.

as they mature

Focuses on the process of maturation, which can be a gentler way to refer to aging.

in seniority

Highlights the aspect of being senior or having greater experience, particularly in professional contexts.

in their golden years

Refers to the retirement phase of life.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "at their older" in a sentence?

The phrase "at their older" is grammatically incorrect. Use alternatives like "in their later years" or "as they age" instead.

What can I say instead of "at their older"?

You can use alternatives such as "in their later years", "when they are older", or "in their old age" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at their older" or "in their older"?

Neither "at their older" nor "in their older" is grammatically correct. A better option is to rephrase using constructions like "at an advanced age".

What's the difference between "at their older age" and "at their old age"?

"At their older age" is grammatically awkward. Use "at their old age" or, better yet, "in their old age".