is of age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of age" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to indicate or describe someone who is legally considered an adult. For example, "My son is of age and will be voting in the next election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Our older child goes to catechism class, as will our younger child when she is of age.

The New York Times

She said: "I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn't involve an animal and everyone is of age.

The Guardian - Music

Even when the drinker is of age, alcohol is getting stronger, and the units are getting larger, leading to devastating health problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I wouldn't force my daughter to marry somebody she doesn't like, but as soon as a girl is of age [starts menstruating], she should be married," Kanuma says.

The Guardian

It is commonly advised that parents avoid talking about political intercourse until a child is of age (which can vary from state to state).

The New Yorker

Pension benefits computed as an expected stream of retirement income receipts, relative to the average wage in the year a cohort is of age j=1.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

You will be of age then.

The New Yorker

You had to be of age.

The New York Times

The qualifications are of age, residence, and registration.

Cornell University

"I have three children who are of age," he said.

The New York Times

I'm of age to have children.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is of age", ensure the context is clear about what age is being referred to. If it's about legal adulthood, explicitly mention the country or region's legal age.

Common error

Avoid using "is of age" without specifying the relevant age or context. For instance, instead of just saying "She is of age", clarify by saying "She is of legal voting age in the United States" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of age" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of having reached a particular age. Ludwig examples show its use in legal, familial, and social contexts to denote adulthood or eligibility. The AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is of age" is a common way to indicate that someone has reached a specific age, often the legal age of adulthood. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase is commonly found in "News & Media", "Science" and "Formal & Business" sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key, especially when referencing a specific legal or social context, as that avoids ambiguity about which age is being referred to. While alternatives like ""has reached adulthood"" or "is legally an adult" can be used, "is of age" provides a concise and direct way to convey that someone has reached the relevant age milestone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is legally an adult

Highlights the legal aspect of being an adult, making it suitable for contexts where legal rights and responsibilities are discussed.

is old enough

A more general and simpler way of indicating that someone has reached a suitable age for something.

has reached adulthood

Focuses specifically on the transition to adulthood and legal maturity, shifting the emphasis from a general age threshold.

is eligible due to age

Highlights that someone's age makes them qualified for something, such as a benefit or service.

is of the required age

Similar to "meets the age requirement" but slightly more formal, emphasizing compliance with an age-based standard.

meets the age requirement

Specifically refers to fulfilling a minimum age threshold for a particular activity or purpose.

is past the age of majority

Emphasizes that someone is beyond the age at which they are considered a legal adult.

qualifies by age

Indicates that someone fulfills the age criteria necessary for a particular role, privilege, or responsibility.

has come of age

Implies a transition to maturity, often used metaphorically to describe the development of a person, idea, or thing.

is of legal drinking age

More specific and relates to the legal age required to purchase and consume alcohol.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says a person "is of age"?

When someone says a person "is of age", it generally means that they have reached the legal age of adulthood, which can vary by jurisdiction. It often implies that the person now has certain rights and responsibilities, such as voting, entering into contracts, or purchasing alcohol.

How can I use the phrase "is of age" in a sentence?

You can use "is of age" in a sentence to indicate that someone has reached adulthood or a specified age threshold. For example, "Now that he is of age, he can vote in the election" or "The law applies to anyone who "has reached adulthood"."

What are some alternative ways to say someone "is of age"?

Alternatives to "is of age" include phrases like ""has reached adulthood"", "is legally an adult", or "is old enough". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of reaching a certain age you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between saying someone "is of age" and saying they "have come of age"?

While both phrases relate to reaching maturity, "is of age" typically refers to meeting a specific legal age requirement. "has come of age" often carries a more metaphorical meaning, suggesting a broader transition into maturity or significance, not necessarily tied to a specific number of years.