for her age

USAGE SUMMARY

"for her age" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, this phrase is used to indicate someone's relative level of competence or capability in comparison to what is expected of someone in a particular age group. For example, "She is a highly skilled cook for her age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She seemed very composed for her age.

The New York Times - Magazine

H. is tall for her age.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was physically mature for her age.

The New York Times

She was stupid &inept, but pretty for her age.

The New Yorker

"Your wife actually looks good for her age.

The New Yorker

Would she say she was unusually mature for her age?

The Guardian - Film

"Adrianna's just very sure of herself for her age.

The New York Times

"Yeah, she's British champion for her age group.

The Guardian - Sport

She was carrying high weight for her age.

The New Yorker

Chu, though always tall for her age, had help.

The New York Times - Sports

She is small for her age and is losing weight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for her age" to highlight a notable quality or characteristic, either positive or negative, in relation to typical expectations for someone of that age. For example, "She demonstrates remarkable maturity for her age."

Common error

Avoid using "for her age" in a way that sounds patronizing or backhanded. Instead of saying "She's quite articulate for her age," which can imply surprise at her competence, consider saying "She's exceptionally articulate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for her age" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the standard of comparison for an attribute or characteristic. As Ludwig indicates, it assesses something relative to what is typical or expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for her age" is a common and grammatically sound way to provide context when describing someone, indicating a comparison to what is generally expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various sources such as news, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use this phrase thoughtfully to avoid unintended patronizing implications, as highlighted in the writing guidance. Alternative phrases like "considering her youth" or "given her age" can offer more formal or nuanced ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for someone her age

This version adds a bit more emphasis on the person being compared.

given her age

This alternative is a more direct and concise way of expressing the same comparison.

compared to others her age

This emphasizes the comparison to a peer group.

in relation to her age

This is a more formal and somewhat less common way of expressing the comparison.

considering her youth

This alternative emphasizes the young age of the person in question.

for a girl her age

Specifies the gender in the comparison.

considering she's so young

Highlights youth and introduces a reason for surprise or admiration.

at her young age

This highlights the youthfulness while making a comparison.

at her stage of life

Focuses on the developmental stage rather than just the numerical age.

with her limited years

Emphasizes the brevity of experience due to age.

FAQs

How can I use "for her age" in a sentence?

You can use "for her age" to compare someone's abilities, appearance, or behavior to what is typically expected. For example, "She is very responsible for her age."

What is a more formal alternative to "for her age"?

A more formal alternative could be "considering her youth" or "given her age". For instance, "Her accomplishments are impressive, considering her youth".

How does "for her age" differ from "at her age"?

"For her age" implies a comparison or evaluation, while "at her age" simply states a fact about someone's age. For example, "She is quite tall for her age" versus "At her age, she enjoys playing sports".

What are some phrases similar to "for her age" that I can use?

Similar phrases include "at her young age", "considering her youth", or "given her age", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.