considerably older than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerably older than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the ages of two or more subjects, indicating a significant age difference. Example: "My brother is considerably older than I am, having celebrated his 40th birthday last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At 73, Albee is considerably older than he looks.

The Guardian

That is considerably older than the median age of the city as a whole, 34.

The New York Times

Having a friend who is considerably older than your mother is unusual.

The New York Times

The couple have three other children, all considerably older than Alex.

The New York Times

I felt so bad again for Cooper, who is considerably older than this younger deputy.

The New York Times

"John may be considerably older than her, but there is nothing sleazy about his approach.

Independent

Calipari sought to clarify that he was considerably older than the movie's target audience.

The New York Times

That community is, by most accounts, exceedingly male and considerably older than Ms. Moser.

The New York Times

As a group, non-Hispanic whites are considerably older than anyone else, with a median age of 42.

The Washington Post

Distance learners are still considerably older than the general population of students, as the graph below shows.

The Guardian

Suddenly I became responsible for a large team of people, many of whom were considerably older than me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerably older than", ensure the context clearly establishes both subjects being compared. For instance, instead of just stating "He is considerably older than...", specify "He is considerably older than his brother."

Common error

Avoid using "considerably older than" when the age difference is negligible. Using it for a minor age gap can sound awkward or exaggerated. Use it only when the age disparity is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerably older than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun by indicating that the subject is significantly more aged than another, establishing a clear age disparity. Ludwig AI's analysis of examples confirms its role in comparative descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "considerably older than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize a significant age difference between two subjects, across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. Ludwig AI confirms that it serves to highlight a noticeable age disparity, and alternative phrases, such as "significantly older than" or "much older than", can be used depending on the desired emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the subjects being compared and that the age difference is truly significant to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly older than

Replaces "considerably" with "significantly", emphasizing the degree of age difference.

substantially older than

Indicates a considerable or significant age difference.

much older than

Uses "much" as a simpler alternative to "considerably", indicating a large age gap.

noticeably older than

Emphasizes the clear visibility or recognizability of the age difference.

markedly older than

Suggests a noticeable or distinct age difference.

appreciably older than

Highlights that the age difference is substantial enough to be important or relevant.

a good deal older than

Uses the idiom "a good deal" to quantify the age difference.

vastly older than

Implies a very large or extreme age difference.

measurably older than

Highlights that the age difference can be quantified or measured.

considerably senior to

Uses "senior" to indicate age difference, often in a formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "considerably older than" in a sentence?

Use "considerably older than" to compare the ages of two individuals or groups, indicating a notable age difference. For example, "My grandfather is "considerably older than" my grandmother."

What phrases are similar to "considerably older than"?

Alternatives to "considerably older than" include "significantly older than", "much older than", or "substantially older than". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "considerably older than" in formal writing?

Yes, "considerably older than" is suitable for formal writing. While it's not overly technical, it effectively conveys a significant age difference in a clear and professional manner. Phrases like "appreciably older than" can also fit for formal writing.

What's the difference between "older than" and "considerably older than"?

"Older than" simply states that one subject is of a greater age than another. "Considerably older than" emphasizes that the age difference is significant and noticeable, adding a degree of emphasis that "older than" lacks.