even a decade old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even a decade old" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is surprisingly old or has been around for a significant amount of time, often in a context where age is relevant to its value or relevance. Example: "The technology may seem cutting-edge, but it's even a decade old and has been surpassed by newer innovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A governor had been elected on its ticket in 1990, when the party was not even a decade old.

The New York Times

One result is that Uzbekistan has a national popular-music culture that is not even a decade old.

The New York Times - Arts

Facebook wasn't even a decade old when Mark Zuckerberg, its founder, got anxious about competition from scrappier upstarts and created Facebook Creative Labs, a startup incubator within Facebook's headquarters; by then, Google had already established a similar group, Google X.

The New Yorker

Also called "A Clean Sweep," the short explores memory and transformation by cataloging landmarks that aren't even a decade old: 1 World Trade Center, the 59th Street Apple Store, the new Beatrice Inn and spiffed-up SoHo.

The New York Times

By the late fifties, television, not even a decade old, gave the low comedians who had dominated popular entertainment in the first half of the century a new economic lease on life.

The New Yorker

As he would have said, in his signature caterwauling of bewilderment, "Gnong, gnong, gnong!" By the late fifties, television, not even a decade old, gave the low comedians who had dominated popular entertainment in the first half of the century a new economic lease on life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The most infamous study done in Aamjiwnaang found that for every one boy being born, there were two girls but even that data is a decade old.

Vice

The most infamous study done in Aamjiwnaang found that for every boy born, there were two girls but even that data is a decade old.

Vice

He might be pushing a certain policy at the behest of a client, and yet is invariably identified by his public service role, even if it's a decade old.

Huffington Post

St. John Knits keeps a library of its yarns and buttons to match your suit perfectly-even if it's a decade old.

Forbes

Even though Yelp is almost a decade old, the business model it pioneered with crowd-sourced local listings has yet to permeate the rest of the emerging world.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even a decade old" to emphasize the age of something when that age is surprising or particularly relevant to the context. It can add a sense of longevity or obsolescence.

Common error

Avoid using "even a decade old" when simply stating the age of something. The 'even' adds emphasis, so reserve it for situations where the age is unexpected or noteworthy, otherwise a simpler phrase like "ten years old" is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even a decade old" functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing the age of a noun. It suggests that the age is surprising or noteworthy. This aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correct usage, highlighting its role in adding emphasis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even a decade old" is grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is an adjectival modifier used to emphasize the age of something, suggesting the duration is surprising or noteworthy. While generally neutral, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. To avoid overuse, reserve "even a decade old" for situations where the age is particularly relevant. The emphasis added by "even" sets it apart from simpler phrases like "a decade old", marking it for special attention as a way to add nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost ten years old

Emphasizes proximity to the ten-year mark rather than a precise duration.

nearly a decade in the past

Shifts the focus to the completion of a decade rather than an object's age.

approximately ten years of age

More formal and precise, focusing on the object's age.

a ten-year-old

Shorter and more direct, emphasizing the age as a descriptor.

lasting for a decade

Focuses on the duration of an event or period.

spanning ten years

Highlights the length of time covered by something.

a period of ten years

General term for describing a duration of time.

ten years hence

Refers to a point in time ten years from now.

ten years prior

Specifies a time ten years before a reference point.

a decade's worth

Indicates the quantity or accumulation over a ten-year period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "even a decade old"?

You can use alternatives such as "almost ten years old", "nearly a decade in the past", or "approximately ten years of age" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "even a decade old"?

It's best used when you want to emphasize that something has been around for a surprisingly long time or when the age itself is significant to the point you're making.

What's the difference between "even a decade old" and "a decade old"?

The word "even" adds emphasis. "Even a decade old" suggests surprise or highlights the length of time more strongly than simply saying "a decade old".

Is "even a decade old" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news and media than in highly formal writing. Other alternatives such as "approximately ten years of age" could be used instead if you need to be more formal.