tender age

USAGE SUMMARY

"tender age" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a young age, usually pre-adolescence. For example: "No child should have to suffer such hardships at such a tender age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

All at the tender age of 19.

The Guardian

My French nanny kissed me at a very tender age.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But someone of Elizabeth's tender age doesn't understand".

The New York Times

One difference is the tender age of these recent combatants.

The New York Times

He first won public office at a tender age.

The New York Times

And last year, the Pontiac Aztek received a face lift at the tender age of 1.

The New York Times

One of them would be champion, at the tender age of 13.

The New York Times

So that, at the tender age of 18, is where I began.

The Guardian

Why does it make this list at such a tender age?

The New York Times

Asked about running a bar at the tender age of 23, Ms. Weiss was nonchalant.

The New York Times - Style

At the tender age of 16 he is already cutting his first album.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tender age" when you want to evoke a sense of vulnerability, innocence, or the need for protection due to youth.

Common error

Avoid using "tender age" in highly formal or technical writing; opt for more neutral terms like "young age" or "early years" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tender age" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, often referring to a person's stage in life. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tender age" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and generally used to refer to a young age, often emphasizing vulnerability or innocence. While alternatives like "young age" or "early years" may be suitable in more formal settings, "tender age" effectively conveys a sense of youth and potential fragility, making it a common and accepted phrase in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

young age

Focuses simply on the fact of being young, without necessarily implying vulnerability or innocence.

early years

Emphasizes the initial stages of life, highlighting development and formative experiences.

youthful period

Highlights a span of life characterized by youthfulness and its associated qualities.

formative years

Highlights the period of life when one is particularly susceptible to influences that shape their development.

impressionable age

Focuses on the susceptibility to influence that is typical of youth.

childhood

Refers specifically to the state or period of being a child.

infancy

Refers to the earliest stage of childhood.

minority

Highlights the legal status of being under the age of majority.

developmental stage

Emphasizes a specific phase in the process of growth and maturation.

salad days

Suggests a time of youthful inexperience, idealism, or indiscretion.

FAQs

How can I use "tender age" in a sentence?

You can use "tender age" to describe a period of youth, often emphasizing vulnerability or innocence. For example, "She faced significant challenges at a "tender age"".

What are some alternatives to "tender age"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "young age", "early years", or "youthful period".

Is "tender age" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "tender age" may sound sentimental in some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral terms like "young age" for a more objective tone.

What connotations does "tender age" carry?

"Tender age" often implies vulnerability, innocence, and a need for care or protection, due to the subject's youth and inexperience.