is an old one

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "is an old one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about something that is no longer in use or in vogue, or when discussing something that has been around for a long period of time. For example: "The writing style of this author is an old one, but still very popular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The problem is an old one.

The Guardian - Books

The idea is an old one.

The Guardian

His point, however, is an old one.

The New York Times

The debate is an old one.

The New York Times - Magazine

The dream of understanding intelligence is an old one.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the most important lesson is an old one.

The New York Times

The connection between yeti and bear is an old one.

The Washington Post

In some respects the problem is an old one.

Harvard Business Review

The notion of sunrise tipples is an old one.

The New York Times - Food

One weapon that could help is an old one -- defections.

The New York Times

The notion that leaders' values and motives influence their effectiveness is an old one.

The Leadership Quarterly

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is an old one" to emphasize the established or traditional nature of something, providing context or explaining its relevance over time.

Common error

Avoid using "is an old one" excessively in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or pedantic in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is an old one" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or idea as being established or of long standing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is often used to provide context by indicating that a concept or problem is not new.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is an old one" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something has existed for a significant period. Ludwig AI validates this, affirming its suitability for written English. Its frequent appearance in news, science, and academic sources underscores its broad applicability and neutral register. When considering alternatives, options like "is a long-standing tradition" or "has been around for ages" can provide nuanced variations. While versatile, it's important to use "is an old one" judiciously, avoiding overuse, especially in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is an age-old concept

Highlights the age of the idea.

has a long history

Simply states the existence of a prolonged past.

is not a recent development

Highlights that it didn't begin recently.

is nothing new

Directly states the lack of novelty.

is a long-standing tradition

Focuses on the tradition aspect, emphasizing its continued practice over time.

is a time-honored custom

Highlights the respect and value given to the custom over time.

has been around for ages

Emphasizes the extensive duration of existence.

is deeply rooted in history

Focuses on the connection to a historical context.

is a well-established fact

Indicates widespread acceptance and recognition of the fact over time.

is a historical occurrence

Emphasizes that the subject is something from the past.

FAQs

How can I use "is an old one" in a sentence?

You can use "is an old one" to indicate that something is not new or has been around for a long time. For example, "The idea of working from home "is an old one", but it has recently gained popularity".

What are some alternatives to "is an old one"?

You can use phrases like "is a long-standing tradition", "has been around for ages", or "is nothing new" as alternatives to "is an old one" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "is an old one" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context and tone of your writing. Sometimes, a more specific or descriptive phrase might be more effective than "is an old one". For example, instead of saying "the problem "is an old one"", you could say "the problem has a long history of failed solutions".

What's the difference between "is an old one" and "is a classic"?

"Is an old one" simply means something has existed for a long time. "Is a classic" implies that something is not only old but also highly regarded or exemplary. A recipe might be ""is an old one"" because it's been passed down through generations, but it's "a classic" because it's beloved and consistently delicious.