closest in age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closest in age" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to people or things that are similar in age or have a small age difference. Example: "The two boys were born on the same day and were the closest in age among their group of friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The closest in age was Anne, three years my senior.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the closest in age, he became her surrogate care giver, measuring her medicine, checking her blood sugar, and helping his mother take her to doctors.

The New York Times

Dan Cohen, the Sulzberger cousin who was closest in age and interests to Arthur, had an even stronger impression of his friend's ambitions.

The New Yorker

With him ruled his brother closest in age, the viceroy, who usually had his seat of government in the native city of the currently ruling dynasty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a survey of 648 women, we compared various cardiovascular risk factors between 324 lesbians age 40 and older residing in California and their heterosexual sisters closest in age.

Women's Health Issues

And Marlon, 55, the closest in age to Michael and the latter's playmate on the road when the boys bestrode the earth, is the moustachioed one who for some reason keeps slipping into a mockney accent.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Romeo and Juliet" laws in several American states exempt close-in-age couplings from prosecution.

The Economist

I am five years younger than my closest-in-age brother, so I was too little to get into fights.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Consider Dara Torres, the 41-year-old U.S. swimmer, who is nine years older than her closest-in-age teammate in Beijing.

The Washington Post

The two are close in age.

The New York Times - Arts

That we were closer in age.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In narratives, "closest in age" can effectively highlight sibling dynamics or peer relationships formed based on age proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "closest in age" when referring to individuals or things that are merely similar in age but not the most similar within a specific group. The phrase implies a higher degree of proximity than simply being 'similar in age'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closest in age" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically used to specify a particular individual or item that exhibits the smallest age difference relative to another within a given group. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "closest in age" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival modifier. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is typically used to refer to people or things that are similar in age or have a small age difference. Its function is to precisely identify an entity with the smallest age gap within a defined set, often for comparative or selective purposes. While versatile enough for news and general writing, its precision lends itself well to scientific and academic contexts. For less formal situations, alternatives like "nearer in age" or "almost the same age" might suffice, but using "closest in age" emphasizes a specific comparison, as supported by many examples found using Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearest in age

Focuses on the proximity in age, similar to the original phrase.

very similar in age

Emphasizes the similarity rather than the closeness, adding intensity with "very".

most similar in age

Indicates a high degree of similarity in age, implying comparison within a group.

of a comparable age

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting a relative similarity.

around the same age

Indicates an approximation of age similarity.

roughly the same age

Highlights an estimated similarity in age.

nearly the same age

Indicates age similarity with a small margin of difference.

almost the same age

Suggests a close similarity in age, but not exactly the same.

in the same age bracket

Highlights that subjects fall within the same group related to age, but requires pre-existing age segmentation.

about the same age

Uses "about" to indicate an approximate similarity in age.

FAQs

How can I use "closest in age" in a sentence?

You can use "closest in age" to describe the selection of participants in a study, as in, "The household resident "closest in age" to the case-patient was eligible to participate as a control."

What are some alternatives to "closest in age"?

Alternatives include "nearest in age", "very similar in age", or "most similar in age", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "close in age" instead of "closest in age"?

While "close in age" indicates similarity, "closest in age" specifies the highest degree of similarity within a defined set. The former is more general, the latter more specific.

What's the difference between "closest in age" and "same age"?

"Same age" implies an identical age, whereas "closest in age" indicates the smallest age difference when an exact match isn't possible. For example, you might select the student "closest in age" if you can't find one of the same age.