in the second grade

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the second grade" is correct and usable in written English.
Example: I was only seven years old when I started studying French in the second grade.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

His troubles began in the second grade.

The New Yorker

"He's only in the second grade.

The New York Times

She was writing small novels in the second grade.

The New Yorker

In the second grade she tested positive for Lyme disease.

The New York Times - Health

He is in the second grade at public school now.

The New Yorker

"Thirteen in the second grade and stuff like that. . . .

The New Yorker

SAN FRANCISCO — I STARTED cataloging insults in the second grade.

The New York Times

He was also removed from school in the second grade.

The New York Times

"I had my reservations midyear," said Lino Sison, whose daughter, Christine, was in the second grade.

The New York Times

They met in the second grade, and in high school they were prom dates.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the second-grade league I coached, there was one group of people who always kept score -- the kids themselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the second grade" to clearly specify the grade level when discussing a child's experiences, academic performance, or developmental milestones.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous references to early school years. Using "in elementary school" is less specific than "in the second grade" and may confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the second grade" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the time or context in which an event or situation occurs. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase modifies a verb or clause, indicating when something happened.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the second grade" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify a time or context, particularly within the elementary school years. As Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples demonstrate, it serves to provide chronological information, typically in a neutral register. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. While alternatives exist, such as "during second grade", the original phrase offers clarity and is unlikely to cause confusion. Common mistakes involve incorrect preposition usage, which should be avoided for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during second grade

Focuses on the time period of second grade.

when I was in second grade

Emphasizes personal experience during that grade level.

while in second grade

Highlights activities or events occurring concurrently with being in second grade.

at the age of a second grader

Focuses on the age typically associated with second grade.

as a second-grade student

Highlights the role or identity of being a student in second grade.

in elementary school

Broader reference to the elementary school years.

during my early school years

General reference to early years, without grade specifics.

at that young age

Highlights youthfulness at the time of an event.

early in my education

Focuses on an event early in the speaker's overall schooling.

when I was about seven years old

Approximates the age of a typical second grader.

FAQs

How can I use "in the second grade" in a sentence?

You can use "in the second grade" to indicate when an event occurred, such as "I learned to read fluently "in the second grade"".

What is another way to say "in the second grade"?

Alternatives include "during second grade", or "when I was in second grade", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at second grade" instead of "in the second grade"?

No, the correct preposition is "in". You should say "in the second grade" not "at second grade".

What's the typical age for a child "in the second grade"?

Children "in the second grade" are typically 7 or 8 years old.