chronological age

USAGE SUMMARY

"chronological age" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to the age of a person in terms of years. For example, "The chronological age of the child is five years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But chronological age should not be assumed to imply infirmity.

The Guardian

He will never catch up to his chronological age.

The New York Times - Magazine

"My chronological age is older than my career age," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Society must move on from stereotyped views that condition how we think about chronological age.

The Guardian

People look much older with sun damage than their chronological age.

The New York Times - Health

She has, she jokes, been subject to bouts of chronological age rage since turning 25.

The New York Times

But it is conscription that is the issue, not chronological age.

The Guardian

"Chronological age is a very imperfect determinant on which to base medical decision-making," he wrote.

The New York Times - Health

"One's chronological age has nothing to do with anything," she told People magazine.

The New York Times

In all this debate, there is one fact that cannot be denied – chronological age.

The Guardian

This, they say, is not merely a matter of his chronological age.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing "chronological age" with other age metrics like biological or developmental age, clearly define each term to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify that "chronological age" refers to the number of years a person has lived, while biological age refers to the state of their body.

Common error

Avoid using "chronological age" interchangeably with developmental or biological age. "Chronological age" is simply the time since birth, while developmental and biological age reflect maturity and physical condition, respectively. Be precise in your language to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chronological age" functions as a noun phrase, serving primarily as a descriptor or identifier. It specifies the duration of time a person or thing has existed, measured from its origin or birth. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chronological age" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to denote the duration of time a person or object has existed since birth or origin. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Its primary function is to provide a clear, objective measure of age, distinguishing it from other related concepts like biological or developmental age. The phrase appears across various contexts, but it's most prevalent in scientific and news-related sources.

When using "chronological age", ensure that it is distinguished from similar concepts to avoid any potential confusion. Also consider "actual age", "calendar age" or "age in years" as valid substitutes. Be precise in your language to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Actual age

This alternative simplifies the phrase by using "actual" to convey the true age based on time passed since birth.

Calendar age

This alternative replaces "chronological" with "calendar" emphasizing the age as measured by a calendar.

Age in years

This alternative specifies the unit of measurement, making it clear that the age is quantified in years.

Time since birth

This alternative uses a descriptive phrase to define age as the time elapsed since birth.

Years lived

This alternative focuses on the duration of life experienced by an individual.

Biological age

This alternative shifts the focus from the passing of time to the physical condition/age of the body, instead of just counting years.

Developmental stage

This alternative represents the overall progress of the body at a particular life stage, considering health aspects and life-stage condition.

Life span

This alternative considers how long a person will live based on the time they have been alive since birth.

Maturity level

This alternative refers to the maturity achieved, that depends on the number of years from birth.

Legal age

This alternative defines when a person has reached the threshold according to the law, after passing time.

FAQs

How to use "chronological age" in a sentence?

"Chronological age" is typically used to provide a baseline measure of a person's age in years. For example, "The patient's "chronological age" was 65, but their biological age was closer to 75".

What's the difference between "chronological age" and biological age?

"Chronological age" refers to the number of years a person has lived. Biological age, on the other hand, refers to how old a person seems based on biomarkers. Unlike "chronological age", biological age depends on lifestyle, genetics and other factors.

What can I say instead of "chronological age"?

Alternatives include "actual age", "calendar age" or "age in years", depending on the context.

Why is "chronological age" important in research?

"Chronological age" serves as a fundamental variable in many studies, allowing researchers to correlate it with various outcomes. It provides a standardized measure against which other factors, like health conditions or developmental milestones, can be compared.