in their sixties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their sixties" is correct and commonly used in written English.
An example of the phrase in a sentence could be: "Many people in their sixties are taking up new hobbies and activities to stay active and healthy." This sentence means that a large number of individuals who are in their sixties (a specific age range) are choosing to participate in new interests and pastimes in order to maintain good physical and mental well-being.

✓ Grammatically correct

Clinical interventions in aging

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sixty-four percent of the participants were in their sixties, and 20% were in their seventies.

Clinical interventions in aging

All in their sixties.

Independent

Many politicians enter their prime in their sixties".

Independent

Both remarried in their sixties, to much younger women.

The New Yorker

Both men appear to be in their sixties.

The New Yorker

'It ranges from teens to people in their sixties.

The Guardian - Film

Many of the miners Querner photographed are in their sixties, and face forced retirement.

The New Yorker

Her friends, and Philip's, were mostly people in their sixties, "German refugee intellectuals, largely Jewish".

The New Yorker

The two main parties, run by men in their sixties, rarely spare youngsters a thought.

The Economist

Both are in their sixties, with excellent recall of their years in Port Arthur, Texas.

The New Yorker

Even in their sixties, a family friend told me, "they were like college sweethearts".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear you're referring to ages between 60 and 69. Otherwise, use more specific language.

Common error

Avoid using "in their sixties" if you know the precise ages of the people you are describing. This phrase is best used when you're estimating or generalizing about a group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their sixties" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying the age range of a group of people. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their sixties" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe people between the ages of 60 and 69. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific articles, it serves to provide a general age reference. When more precision is needed, alternatives such as "aged between sixty and sixty-nine" may be more appropriate. Using "in their sixties" correctly helps avoid vagueness about age. Always consider the specific context and audience when choosing language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their seventh decade

Rephrases the age range using the term "decade" instead of "sixties".

in their mid-sixties

Specifies a narrower range within the sixties.

in their late fifties and early sixties

Specifies a transition between two age ranges.

aged between sixty and sixty-nine

Gives an exact age range.

around sixty years old

Uses the term "years old" instead of referring to a decade.

in the age bracket of sixty to sixty-nine

Formal way of defining the age range.

sixty-something

Informal way of saying someone is approximately in their sixties.

in their golden years

Refers to the stage of life commonly associated with being in one's sixties, focusing on retirement and later life.

approaching senior citizenship

Highlights the proximity to the age of sixty-five, often associated with senior benefits and retirement.

later in life

General phrase to describe elderly people.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "in their sixties"?

To say someone is "in their sixties" means they are between 60 and 69 years old. It's a general way to describe someone's age without being too precise.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "in their sixties" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "in their sixties" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, if precision is needed, provide a specific age range.

What are some alternative ways to say "in their sixties"?

You can use alternatives like "in their seventh decade", "around sixty years old", or "sixty-something", depending on the context and level of formality.

How does the phrase "in their sixties" compare to "in their 60s"?

The phrases "in their sixties" and "in their 60s" are interchangeable and have the same meaning. Both refer to the age range between 60 and 69.