nearly the same age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly the same age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the ages of two or more individuals or entities that are close in age but not exactly the same. Example: "John and Sarah are nearly the same age, making them great friends who can relate to each other's experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

They're nearly the same age.

The Guardian

Two of the kids are nearly the same age but have different mothers.

The New York Times - Books

This guest has a daughter nearly the same age as Kevin, who pursues her across the lawn.

The New Yorker

Yet they were nearly the same age and soaked up Paris in the 1920's, running into each other at Sylvia Beach's bookstore, Shakespeare and Company.

The New York Times

Two and a half centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin's sister Mary was thirty-seven, nearly the same age as Susan Komen, when she died of the same disease.

The New Yorker

On the left, a colour picture of himself at age 21, on the right, the black and white picture of his father at nearly the same age.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He was 15, about the same age as nearly all the dead.

The New York Times

"Almost the same age".

The New Yorker

They are about the same age.

Science Magazine

"We're about the same age.

Los Angeles Times

Ivanovic, who is the same age and nearly the same height as the 6-foot-2 Sharapova, is still waiting for her first major trophy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly the same age" in contexts where the slight age difference doesn't significantly impact the subject matter. For instance, describing colleagues or historical figures.

Common error

Don't use "nearly the same age" if the age difference is substantial. Using it inappropriately can mislead readers about the actual age gap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly the same age" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically used to modify a noun or pronoun, describing the similarity in age between two or more subjects. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly the same age" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe individuals or entities with close ages. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science. Related phrases like "almost the same age" or "about the same age" can be used as alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure the age difference is not substantial to maintain clarity and avoid misleading readers. Overall, "nearly the same age" provides a useful way to indicate similarity in age while acknowledging a slight difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost the same age

Uses "almost" instead of "nearly", indicating a slight difference in degree.

roughly the same age

Replaces "nearly" with "roughly", suggesting an approximate similarity.

about the same age

Uses "about" instead of "nearly", indicating an estimated age similarity.

approximately the same age

Substitutes "nearly" with "approximately", conveying a close but not exact age.

of similar age

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the similarity in age range.

close in age

Highlights the closeness in age without specifying "same age".

comparable in age

Uses "comparable" to indicate that their ages are similar enough to compare.

virtually the same age

Implies the ages are so close as to be functionally identical.

practically the same age

Suggests the difference in age is negligible.

in the same age bracket

Refers to belonging to the same age range or group.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly the same age" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly the same age" to compare people or things that are close in age, like: "The twins are "nearly the same age", despite one being born a few minutes earlier."

What phrases are similar to "nearly the same age"?

Alternatives include "almost the same age", "about the same age", or "roughly the same age". Each suggests a similar, but not identical, age.

Is there a significant difference between "nearly the same age" and "exactly the same age"?

Yes. "Exactly the same age" implies that the individuals were born at the same time. "Nearly the same age" indicates a slight difference, such as being born in the same year or within a few months of each other.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly the same age" instead of "the same age"?

Use "nearly the same age" when precision isn't critical, but it's important to acknowledge that there might be a small age difference. For example, "The two leaders, being "nearly the same age", shared similar perspectives."