of considerable age

USAGE SUMMARY

"of considerable age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is relatively old or has been around for a long period of time. For example: "The building is of considerable age, having been constructed in the late 1800s".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Did they dislike the entablature which tops the capital and is clearly not of considerable age?

The New York Times - Arts

Ford said the number of complaints was small and the vehicles under investigation were of considerable age.

The New York Times

Clearly I had been pegged as a "flier" of considerable age, one capable of flashbacks to the Jazzercise era of leotards and leg warmers and "hot cross buns".

The New York Times

An "Unusual Mughal style jade lobed shallow bowl, 18th/19th century," which fits into no known style, and does not appear to be of considerable age, is now on its way to mainland China.

The New York Times - Arts

For that reason, it's probably not surprising that many May-December romances, where two people are of considerable age difference, occur during this transit.

Huffington Post

Since experimental protocols for determining phosphorylation sites are non-trivial and the reports are of considerable age, an experimental re-examination these cases would be advisable.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Life expectancy has doubled in the last century, leading to considerable aging of populations.

Epidemiology

The reason for this major limitation lies in the small size of their defining element, the CB helix, and the considerable age of the families under study, which renders it impossible to simply deduce the order of their emergence from a phylogenetic analysis of the primary sequences.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As the play opens she is a domestic worker in the household of Amelia Gregg (Margaret Daly), whose brother, the prim and proper Stanislaus (Patrick Fitzgerald), has decided he wants to marry Katie despite her lack of breeding and their considerable age difference.

The New York Times

Additionally there is a considerable age-related accumulation of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of elderly eyes.

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

The antimuscarinic agent fesoterodine has been the subject of considerable testing in people aged ≥65 years, with purposive recruitment of patients aged ≥75 years [s25,s29,s30].

Age and Ageing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of considerable age" when you want to emphasize that something is relatively old, but avoid using it excessively; vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "of considerable age" too frequently or in very informal settings may sound stilted or overly formal. Choose simpler alternatives like "old" or "aged" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of considerable age" functions as a post-modifier in a noun phrase, adding descriptive information about the age of the noun it modifies. Ludwig provides various examples, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of considerable age" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is relatively old. Ludwig confirms that its usage is correct and acceptable in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related content, as well as in encyclopedias, where its formal tone is appropriate. While it conveys a sense of age and history, it's important to be mindful of the context and audience to ensure that the level of formality aligns with the intended message. Using simpler terms like "old" or "aged" can sometimes be more appropriate in informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of advanced years

This alternative emphasizes the length of time that has passed.

of great antiquity

This phrase highlights the historical significance and age of something.

of venerable age

This option suggests something is respected because of its age.

remarkably old

Focuses on the surprising aspect of age.

relatively aged

Implies age is being considered in relation to something else.

chronologically advanced

More formal and technical way of saying old.

long-standing

Indicates something that has been around for a long duration.

from a bygone era

Emphasizes that something belongs to a past time.

having existed for ages

Emphasizes a very long period of existence.

historically significant

Highlights importance due to its age and history.

FAQs

How can I use "of considerable age" in a sentence?

You can use "of considerable age" to describe objects, people, or concepts that are relatively old. For example, "The artifact is "of considerable age", dating back to the Roman Empire."

What are some alternatives to "of considerable age"?

Alternatives include "elderly", "aged", "old", "ancient" or phrases like "from a bygone era", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "of considerable age" or "very old"?

It depends on the context. "Of considerable age" is more formal and emphasizes the significant duration of existence, whereas "very old" is simpler and more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Can "of considerable age" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "of considerable age" can describe abstract concepts like traditions or ideas. For instance, "The tradition is "of considerable age", passed down through generations."