older than that

USAGE SUMMARY

"older than that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that something is of a greater age than something else. For example: "The painting is much older than that sculpture; it was painted over 350 years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It must be far older than that.

University of California, Berkeley

But the populist menace is older than that.

Princeton University

But, really, it's a lot older than that.

The New Yorker

Four of the current Justices are older than that.

The New Yorker

In fact, it may be even older than that.

The New Yorker

I work on a computer older than that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The city of Ur is a lot older than that.

The Guardian

Most of Woodlawn's mausoleums are older than that.

The New York Times

In fact, the Nummulites in the pyramids are a lot older than that.

University of California, Berkeley

Graziano, who is now 69 years old, looked older than that.

The New York Times - Sports

But hats off to PJ Killian, who points out the word is much older than that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "older than that" to efficiently express an age difference when the specific age or date has already been mentioned or is implied in the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "older than that" when the reference point is unclear. Without a clear point of comparison, the statement becomes vague and loses its meaning. Always establish a reference before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "older than that" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that something has a greater age or seniority compared to a previously mentioned or implied reference point. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

13%

HuffPost

5%

Forbes

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "older than that" is a common and correct comparative phrase used to indicate that something is of greater age or has existed for a longer time than a reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Academia sources, making it suitable for neutral and slightly formal registers. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "more ancient than that" or "predates that" for varied expression. Keep in mind to avoid similar alternatives as 'more old than that' because is grammatically incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more ancient than that

Emphasizes the antiquity of something in comparison to a reference point. The focus is more on the historical aspect of age.

predates that

Specifically indicates that something existed before the reference point. It's a more formal and precise way of expressing age comparison.

earlier than that

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating that something occurred at an earlier time relative to a specific event or period.

of greater antiquity

Stresses the historical significance and age of something, suitable for formal or academic contexts.

of a prior vintage

A more sophisticated way of saying something is older, often used in contexts involving wine or antiques. Implies a certain value associated with age.

existed before that time

A straightforward and unambiguous way of stating that something was present before a given moment.

senior to that

Implies a ranking or hierarchy based on age or time, such as in an organization or a family.

antedates that

A formal and somewhat rare synonym for 'predates', emphasizing the chronological order.

from a bygone era

Highlights that something belongs to a past period, emphasizing the difference in time and often implying nostalgia.

longer standing than that

Used to indicate that something has been around or in effect for a greater period of time than the reference point.

FAQs

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

Use "older than that" to indicate that something is of a greater age than something previously mentioned. For example, "The artifact is from the Bronze Age, but some researchers believe it's even "more ancient than that"".

What are some alternatives to saying "older than that"?

You can use phrases like "predates that", "more ancient than that", or "earlier than that", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more old than that" instead of "older than that"?

No, "more old than that" is not grammatically correct. The correct comparative form of 'old' is 'older'. Always use "older than that" when making a comparison of age.

When should I use "older than that" versus "earlier than that"?

"Older than that" is generally used when referring to age or duration, while "earlier than that" is used when referring to time or sequence. For example, "The building is older than that statue," versus "The event happened earlier than that deadline".