really young

USAGE SUMMARY

"really young" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's age or level of maturity. For example: - Sarah is really young, so she's still learning how to manage her time effectively. - He started playing the piano when he was really young, and now he's a professional musician. - My nephew is really young, but he's already showing a lot of talent in soccer. - She may seem really young, but she's actually quite mature for her age. - I can't believe she's a CEO at such a young age. She must have been really young when she started her own company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

* He's really young (20).

The New York Times

I'm really young, you know".

The Economist

"They're really young guys".

The New York Times

"He is a really young boy.

Independent

"Especially being that I was really young.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're really young," she said.

The New York Times

We were really, really young".

The New York Times - Sports

My dad's really young as well.

The Guardian - Music

"Everyone's really young," Mr. Jeffries said.

The New York Times

"They're really young in their spirit.

The Guardian - Music

You're really young!" "Yes," I said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really young" to emphasize the subject's inexperience or potential, especially when contrasting it with their achievements or responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "really young" excessively in a single text. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "quite young" or "youthful" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really young" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, emphasizing the subject's youthfulness. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes age, appearance, or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Music

8%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really young" is a commonly used adjective phrase to emphasize youthfulness. It's grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and versatile across various contexts, although more prevalent in news and media than in formal academic writing. While generally neutral in tone, it’s essential to use it judiciously, considering the potential implications of highlighting someone's age. Remember to vary your descriptions with alternatives to prevent overuse. The most frequent authoritative sources that are employing the QUERY are The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

youthful

A general term indicating the qualities of being young.

quite young

Indicates a noticeable degree of youthfulness, slightly less emphatic than "really young".

very youthful

Emphasizes the appearance or qualities associated with youth, focusing on vitality and freshness.

extremely young

Highlights an exceptional degree of youthfulness, more intense than "really young".

relatively young

Positions the subject as young compared to others or a general standard.

fresh-faced

Describes someone with a youthful appearance, often innocent or inexperienced.

in early stages

Focuses on the beginning phase of development, applicable to projects or careers.

just starting out

Emphasizes the newness of an endeavor or career.

in their youth

Refers to the period of being young, rather than the degree of youthfulness.

of tender age

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to describe someone very young.

FAQs

How can I use "really young" in a sentence?

You can use "really young" to describe someone's age, appearance, or level of experience. For example, "She's "really young", but incredibly talented".

What's a more formal alternative to "really young"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "youthful" or "of tender age", although the latter is somewhat archaic.

Is it always appropriate to comment on someone being "really young"?

Consider the context and your relationship with the person. Highlighting someone's youth might be inappropriate if it implies they are incapable or less competent.

How does "really young" differ from "very young"?

"Really young" and "very young" are largely interchangeable, but "really" can add a touch more emphasis or surprise depending on the speaker's tone.