older than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "older than usual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is older compared to a typical or expected age or timeframe. Example: "This wine tastes older than usual, suggesting it may have been aged longer than the label indicates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The neighborhood women look older than usual and the food is unappetizing.

The New Yorker

But much of this 2010 crop is at least six months older than usual.

The New York Times

This year, the contestants are older than usual – two are in their sixties – which means I actually recognise them.

Independent

According to cinema experts, most of the films released early this year are at least a year older than usual.

Independent

But his passion for drama diverted him to Rada, where he was an older than usual student at the age of 24.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Because they will be older than usual, and thus more likely to have families to keep, they will struggle on apprentices' wages.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But in the job he was supposed to do, he tried to mask his ideology and present it as a concern for security". Tirza is 48, an older-than-usual doctoral candidate who favors jeans, Teva sandals and wraparound sunglasses to go with the knit skullcap favored by religious settlers.

The Washington Post

Amid the symmetrical grey columns and wide stairs of Christopher Oram's imperial set, they hold back no emotion, nor do any members of the ensemble, among them Derek Jacobi as an older-than-usual and angrily eloquent Mercutio, Marisa Berenson as a mournful Lady Capulet, Meera Syal as an extremely forthright Nurse and Samuel Valentine as a younger-than-usual, red-haired Friar Laurence.

Huffington Post

Bratton also remembered a man who had joined the force at an older age than usual, and handled his change of employment with a maturity and dedication that younger officers looked up to.

The Guardian

Hughes Jones is an ardent, tremendously plausible suitor – played as an older man than usual, which makes Sachs's unrequited passion for Eva the more touching – while the object of their affections, Rachel Nicholls, gains in assurance as the evening goes on, and launches the third-act quintet with exactly the quiet intensity it needs.

The Guardian - Music

The mean age at which symptoms developed was 11.4 years (standard deviation = 3.6 years; range 5-14 yeans), an older age than usual for autistic regression in Down syndrome.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "older than usual", ensure the context clearly establishes what the "usual" age or timeframe is. This provides a reference point for the comparison and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "older than usual" without clearly defining what is considered "usual" in the given context. For example, instead of saying "The student was older than usual", specify "The student was older than usual for a freshman".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "older than usual" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating that it exceeds the typical or expected age. It serves to provide additional information and context, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "older than usual" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something or someone exceeding the typical age expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and versatile expression. Primarily found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the reference point is clear to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider options like ""more aged than normal"" or "more mature than typical", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More aged than normal

Focuses on the aging aspect, replacing "usual" with "normal".

More mature than typical

Emphasizes maturity instead of age, suggesting a deviation from the standard expectation.

Past the expected age

Highlights exceeding the anticipated age range.

Advanced in years

A more formal way of saying someone is older than expected.

Beyond the average age

Indicates surpassing the statistical average age.

Of an advanced age

Similar to "advanced in years" but slightly more literary.

Longer in the tooth

An idiomatic expression for being old or aging.

More senior than is typical

Uses "senior" to imply age and compares it to what is typical.

Not as young as one might expect

Expresses the idea indirectly, emphasizing a lack of youthfulness.

Showing more age than normal

Focuses on the visible signs of aging compared to a standard expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "older than usual" to describe something or someone that is older compared to a typical or expected age. For example: "This cheese is "more aged than normal", which is older than usual for this type of cheese."

What can I say instead of "older than usual"?

You can use alternatives like ""more aged than normal"", "more mature than typical", or "advanced in years" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "older than usual" and "longer than usual"?

"Older than usual" typically refers to age, while "longer than usual" refers to duration. For example, "He started school older than usual" refers to age, whereas "The meeting lasted longer than usual" refers to time.

Is it appropriate to use "older than usual" in professional writing?

Yes, "older than usual" is appropriate in professional writing as long as the context is clear and the comparison is relevant. It's a neutral phrase that simply indicates a deviation from the typical age or timeframe.