older than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'older than' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you can use it to describe someone's age: "My grandfather is older than my grandmother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

older than she.

The New Yorker

She's older than you".

The New Yorker

Maura was older than Carl.

The New Yorker

I'm older than his father.

The New York Times - Sports

Five years older than yours".

The New Yorker

She's older than I expected.

The New Yorker

O.K., he's older than me.

The New Yorker

They are older than average.

The New York Times

"I'm older than you, anyway".

The New York Times

Amsterdam's bourse is older than either.

The Economist

Potanin was four years older than Prokhorov.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing ages, ensure clarity by specifying the units of measurement (e.g., years, months, days) if precision is needed. For example, "He is 2 years and 6 months "older than" his brother".

Common error

Avoid using "older than" to describe abstract concepts where "greater than", "more significant than", or another comparative term would be more appropriate. For example, don't say "This problem is older than that one" when you mean "This problem is more significant than that one".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "older than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one entity has a greater age or seniority compared to another. This function is supported by Ludwig AI, and is evident in examples like "He was 21 yrs "older than" she".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "older than" is a very common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to express that one thing is of greater age than another. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, the register can shift depending on the context, with formal alternatives available for academic or scientific writing. When using "older than", ensure that the comparison is clear and specific and avoid misapplication in non-age contexts. Be mindful of precision by specifying units of time when needed, like "He is 5 years "older than" her".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Senior to

Emphasizes a hierarchical or positional difference based on age or experience.

More aged than

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to express the comparison.

Of greater age than

A more formal and descriptive alternative.

Preceding in age

Focuses on the order of age, implying sequence or precedence.

Exceeding in years

Emphasizes the length of time lived.

Coming before in age

Highlights the temporal aspect of being born or created earlier.

Outdating

Implies something is no longer current because something else is older

Surpassing in age

Suggests a wider margin in age difference.

More experienced than

This alternative emphasizes accumulated knowledge and skill due to age.

Been around longer than

An informal way to indicate greater life experience or duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "older than" to compare the age of two people, objects, or concepts. For example, "My sister is "older than" me", or "This building is "older than" the city hall".

What's a formal alternative to "older than"?

In formal contexts, consider using "senior to" or "of greater age than" to maintain a more professional tone.

How do I accurately compare ages using "older than"?

To accurately compare ages, specify the unit of time. For example, instead of just saying "He is "older than" her", specify "He is five years "older than" her".

Is it ever incorrect to use "older than"?

While grammatically correct, "older than" can be inappropriate if a different comparative term is more precise. For instance, use "more significant than" or "more important than" when comparing abstract concepts.