is older than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is older than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the ages of two or more subjects, indicating that one subject has existed for a longer period than another. Example: "My brother is older than I am, having been born three years before me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amsterdam's bourse is older than either.

The Economist

Everyone is older than someone else.

The New York Times

She is older than Harry.

The Washington Post

Dave is older than Babs.

The Guardian - Books

It is older than cooking.

The New Yorker

Betty White is older than the Golden Gate Bridge.

The New York Times - Books

My child is older than three months.

Harvard University

All but one is older than me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Our music is older than Bach.

The Guardian - Music

None of them is older than 22.

The Guardian

This thing is older than the universe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing ages, ensure the context is clear. For instance, specify if you're comparing calendar age, the age of an idea, or the age of an object.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with plural subjects when comparing ages. For example, instead of "These buildings is older than that one", use "These buildings are older than that one".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is older than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe the relative age of two or more entities, indicating that one subject has existed for a longer period than another. Examples from Ludwig show this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is older than" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used for comparing the age of various subjects. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your comparison and avoid subject-verb agreement errors. Alternatives like "is senior to" can be used for a more formal tone. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is senior to

Indicates a higher rank or position, often due to age or experience; more formal.

predates

Emphasizes existing before a specific time or event; suitable for historical contexts.

is of a greater age than

A more formal and somewhat redundant way of saying the same thing, suitable for legal or official documents.

is further along in years than

Focuses on the progression of age, implying experience or wisdom gained over time.

is more aged than

Highlights the state of being aged, often used in descriptive or literary contexts.

existed before

A general term indicating earlier existence, not necessarily related to age.

is earlier than

Indicates something happened or existed at a prior time; broader than just age.

is the predecessor of

Refers to something that came before in a sequence or lineage.

is more ancient than

Implies a very old age, often used for historical or archaeological contexts.

is from an earlier era than

Highlights belonging to a past time period, suitable for historical comparisons.

FAQs

How can I use "is older than" in a sentence?

The phrase "is older than" is used to compare the age of two subjects. For example, "My sister is older than me", or "The Roman Empire is older than the United States".

What's a more formal way to say "is older than"?

A more formal alternative to "is older than" is "is senior to", which implies a higher rank or position due to age or experience.

What's the difference between "is older than" and "predates"?

"Is older than" is a general comparison of age. "Predates" emphasizes existing before a specific time or event, often used in historical contexts.

Can "is older than" be used for things other than people?

Yes, "is older than" can be used to compare the age of objects, ideas, or any entity with a measurable age. For instance, "This tree is older than my house".