comparatively old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparatively old" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the age of one thing to another, indicating that it is older in relation to something else. Example: "This building is comparatively old compared to the newly constructed skyscrapers in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Compared to smoking – a comparatively "old" challenge – it is not surprising that thus far significantly less (cost- effectiveness evidencost- effectivenessatevidencerms of thasprevention of dietary intake and obeenty.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Because the facilities are comparatively old, many owners will not bother.

The Economist

Buildings there seemed comparatively old and "kind of shabby," Mr. Tracy said.

The New York Times

While 27 is comparatively old for an international debut, he points out that spin bowlers generally take longer to mature.

The New York Times - Sports

The workforce is comparatively old, with those between 45 and 54 years accounting for 26%, and those over 55 accounting for a further 22%.

The Guardian - Money

In contrast, comparatively old and complex agrarian and urban civilizations had arisen in portions of Mexico and Central America, where relatively elaborate economies and dense populations had developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The siblings of older index subjects may be comparatively older compared to the siblings of younger index subjects and it is well known that risk of cancer increases with age.

BMC Cancer

As compared to healthy controls, HCV infected patients were comparatively older and had low mean serum TSH.

BioMed Research International

Similar to the finding reported in Table 1, HCV infected TPO-Ab positive patients were comparatively older and had low mean serum TSH as compared to TPO-Ab positive control subjects.

BioMed Research International

Ainsworth's entreaty came by the comparatively old-fashioned medium of a text and it struck a chord with Akinfenwa.

The Guardian - Sport

The "Making of the President" films must have felt already comparatively old-fashioned when they were shown.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparatively old" when you want to emphasize that something is older than another specific thing being compared, rather than just generally old.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively old" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "relatively aged" or specify the age range.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively old" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing the age of objects, people, and even concepts, emphasizing that something is older when contrasted with something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comparatively old" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote that something is older when directly compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific discourse. While it’s neither overly formal nor informal, users should consider the precision needed in more academic or technical contexts, opting for alternatives like "relatively aged" or specifying the age range for clarity. The phrase's primary function is to establish a relative age, providing context by positioning something on an age spectrum in relation to something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively aged

Emphasizes the age aspect in relation to something else, using a more formal tone.

somewhat senior

Highlights the aspect of seniority or being older, which can apply to age or experience.

moderately aged

Indicates a moderate degree of age, implying it's neither very young nor very old.

rather mature

Focuses on maturity, which is often linked to age and development.

slightly advanced in years

A more elaborate and polite way to describe someone or something as a bit old.

a bit past its prime

Suggests something is aging and perhaps not as good as it once was.

seasoned

Implies age combined with experience, often used in professional contexts.

getting on in years

An idiomatic way to say someone is becoming old, often used informally.

not in its youth

Directly states that something is not young, emphasizing the absence of youth.

more dated

Suggests that something is old-fashioned or out of date.

FAQs

How do I use "comparatively old" in a sentence?

Use "comparatively old" to indicate that something is older when directly compared to something else. For example, "This building is comparatively old compared to the newly constructed skyscrapers downtown."

What are some alternatives to "comparatively old"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively aged", "somewhat senior", or "moderately aged" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "relatively old" or "comparatively old"?

Both "relatively old" and "comparatively old" are correct, but "comparatively old" implies a direct comparison is being made, while "relatively old" suggests a more general assessment of age.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "comparatively old"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that something is older when contrasted with another item, emphasizing the difference in age between the two.