for their age

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the age of any person or thing. An example sentence would be: The students showed remarkable knowledge for their age.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are great for their age.

The New York Times - Sports

For their age group, the sisters are practically bionic.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Awfully small for their age," he said shaking his head".

The New Yorker

"They were so tiny, small for their age.

The New York Times - Sports

"These college anglers are unbelievably talented for their age".

The New York Times - Sports

I love people who look great for their age.

Independent

Results: Preterm infants remained short for their age and sex at all follow-ups.

The Journal of Pediatrics

The accommodation should be appropriate for their age, emotional maturity and level of vulnerability".

The Guardian

Many of the children here are shorter and thinner than they should be for their age.

The New York Times

In those days the Poles, progressively democratic for their age, elected their kings.

The New York Times - Travel

According to available growth data, many of the children are short and underweight for their age.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for their age" to provide context when describing someone's abilities, appearance, or behavior, indicating what is typical or remarkable at that age.

Common error

Avoid using "for their age" to excuse behavior that requires intervention or correction. While it's useful for noting advanced skills, it should not normalize delayed development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their age" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing a relative comparison based on age. It indicates a degree of maturity, skill, or physical attribute relative to what is expected at that specific age. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Unknown

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for their age" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to provide context and qualification by making age-based comparisons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various registers. Its frequent occurrence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts underscores its applicability in diverse writing scenarios. Remember to employ it thoughtfully to highlight developmental milestones or age-related characteristics while avoiding its misuse to excuse concerning behaviors. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively leverage "for their age" to add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering their age

This alternative emphasizes the act of taking age into account as a factor.

relative to their age

Highlights a comparison with what is typical or expected at that age.

at their developmental stage

Focuses specifically on the stage of development a person has reached.

given their youth

Emphasizes the youthfulness of the subject as a relevant factor.

for someone so young

Highlights the subject's youth and implies a surprising quality.

in light of their age

Suggests that age provides a particular perspective or context.

considering how old they are

This phrase refers to both young and old people.

for their generation

Links the attribute to the subject's birth cohort or generation.

at their life stage

Focuses on a broader phase of life rather than just numerical age.

for the time of their life

Emphasizes the influence of the subject's current experiences and status.

FAQs

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

You can use "for their age" to describe someone's abilities, appearance, or behavior in relation to what is typical at that age. For example, "She is very mature "for their age"".

What does it mean when someone is described as "advanced for their age"?

It means they exhibit skills or characteristics typically seen in individuals older than them. The phrase indicates that someone is more capable or mature than others "for their age".

Which is correct, "for their age" or "at their age"?

"For their age" is generally used to make comparisons or indicate expectations. "At their age" is used to specify a particular time or phase. For example, "They are tall "for their age"" versus "I learned to ride a bike at their age."

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "small for their age"?

Alternatives include "undersized", "petite", or "shorter than average". The best choice depends on the specific context. "They were small "for their age" group yet managed to dominate it."