in their thirties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their thirties" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an age range of someone's life between 30 and 39 years old. For example: Many people in their thirties are balancing taking care of their children while advancing in their careers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

All are in their thirties.

The Times

Both men are in their thirties.

The Guardian

Most are in their thirties and speak English well – unlike most of the workers.

The Guardian - Business

"People's appreciation for risk doesn't fully develop until they're in their thirties or maybe forties.

Harvard Business Review

The three, all in their thirties, still run the 286-person company.

The Washington Post

97percentt of affected workers are in their twenties or older, and 63percentt of the workers receiving raises are in their thirties or older.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Interestingly, the incidence of PBC is increasing worldwide and PBC is typically diagnosed in women in their 5th-7th decade.

Best Practice and Research in Clinical Gastroenterology

The awards are in their 13th year.

The Guardian

And they joined in their hundreds.

The Guardian - Opinion

And this they did, in their thousands.

The Guardian - Books

The Yelpers were mostly in their twenties.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about age groups, ensure that using "in their thirties" is the most appropriate and specific way to describe the individuals. Consider if more precise language, like "early thirties" or "late thirties", is more informative.

Common error

Avoid using "in their thirties" when more specific age information is available or relevant. For example, if you know someone is 32, stating they are "in their thirties" is less informative than saying they are 32 years old.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their thirties" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe individuals whose ages fall within the range of 30 to 39 years. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in characterizing people, workers, or professionals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their thirties" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to individuals aged between 30 and 39. Ludwig examples show that it is frequently employed in news, media, and academic contexts to describe people, workers, or other groups. While versatile, remember that specifying exact ages is preferable when the information is available and relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for general age descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their 30s

A shorter, more casual form using numerals instead of words.

in their late twenties and early thirties

Specifies a range covering the transition from the late twenties to the early thirties, offering more precision.

thirty-something

A more colloquial way to describe someone in their thirties.

in their early thirties

Focuses specifically on the beginning of the thirties decade.

in their mid-thirties

Highlights the middle years of the thirties decade.

in their late thirties

Refers specifically to the end of the thirties decade.

between thirty and forty years old

Provides a more explicit age range.

in their fourth decade

Uses ordinal numbers to refer to the same age range, offering a more formal tone.

around thirty years of age

Indicates an approximate age close to thirty.

of that age

Implies the person's age is in their thirties from the context.

FAQs

How can I use "in their thirties" in a sentence?

You can use "in their thirties" to describe a group of people within that age range. For instance, "Many professionals "in their thirties" are focused on career advancement and family planning".

What's a more casual way to say "in their thirties"?

A more casual way to express the same idea is "thirty-something". For example, "He's a "thirty-something" entrepreneur making waves in the tech industry".

Is it better to say "in their thirties" or to specify the exact age?

It depends on the context. If the specific age is relevant or known, use it. If you're discussing a general age range or don't know the exact age, "in their thirties" is appropriate. If it is relevant that someone is 31 years old you should mention the age and avoid the general expression ""in their thirties"".

Are "in their thirties" and "in their 30s" interchangeable?

Yes, "in their thirties" and "in their 30s" are generally interchangeable. The latter is a more concise, numerical form. The written version ""in their thirties"" it's most common in more formal pieces of writing.