not far apart in age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not far apart in age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more individuals who have similar ages, indicating that their ages are close to each other. Example: "The two brothers are not far apart in age, making it easy for them to relate to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The two men are not far apart in age (51 and 46, respectively), both come from the South -- Mr. Whitten from Alabama, Mr. Mitchell from Georgia -- and although one is a painter and the other a sculptor, both produce art with a strong tactile quality.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sweat rolling down his face, the boy cracked a joke and Luol creased up, reminding us that they were not so far apart in age or outlook, despite Deng's very different life.

The Guardian - Sport

They're not that far apart in age, she notes, and over her first year in Baltimore she's heard local high school students ask about what it's like to be in college as well as Johns Hopkins students who want to know more about growing up in Baltimore.

Johns Hopkins University

They weren't too far apart in age.

Huffington Post

Also, if the babies are more than a few years far apart in age, parents don't always have all the necessary equipment.

Huffington Post

Michael Slade's book humorously captures the typical interactions of siblings far apart in age.

The New York Times - Arts

Accordingly on stormy and wet nights the battlements were deserted, and guard kept from the towers, which were not far apart and roofed in above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The governor, for one thing, is not far apart from Mr. Bloomberg in his view on teachers' unions.

The New York Times

"They're not far apart.

The New York Times

The selections were not far apart.

The New York Times - Arts

Fascination and repulsion are not far apart.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting age differences, pair "not far apart in age" with a contrasting phrase like "widely different in experience" to create a nuanced comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "not far apart in age" when a precise age difference is crucial. This phrase is best when implying a general similarity rather than providing exact information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not far apart in age" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that two or more subjects are similar in age. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not far apart in age" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a similarity in age between individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts highlights its broad applicability. When greater precision is not required, "not far apart in age" provides a useful means of denoting a shared age group. For alternatives, consider "close in age" or "similar in age" for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close in age

This alternative directly indicates the ages are near to each other, focusing on proximity.

similar in age

This alternative emphasizes the likeness or resemblance in age between individuals.

nearly the same age

This highlights the ages being almost identical, suggesting a slight difference.

around the same age

Implies an approximate similarity in age, allowing for some variation.

almost the same age

This suggests a very slight difference in age, nearly identical.

about the same age

This implies an approximation, suggesting the ages are close without being precise.

of a similar generation

This broadens the scope to include belonging to the same age cohort or period.

roughly the same age

Indicates a general similarity in age, without requiring exactness.

of comparable age

This suggests that the ages are similar enough to allow for comparison.

not much older

Focuses on the lack of significant age difference from one person's perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "not far apart in age" in a sentence?

You can use "not far apart in age" to describe individuals with similar ages. For example: "The siblings are "not far apart in age", so they share many interests."

What's a more concise way to say "not far apart in age"?

Alternatives include "close in age" or "similar in age". These options are more succinct while conveying the same meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "not far apart in age" in formal writing?

Yes, "not far apart in age" is suitable for formal writing, as it's grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider whether a more precise age range would be more appropriate for your specific context.

How does "not far apart in age" differ from "of the same generation"?

"Not far apart in age" implies a specific, relatively small age difference, while "of the same generation" refers to a broader age group sharing similar cultural or historical experiences.