the age at which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the age at which" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific age, as in the example sentence "She was happy to retire at the age at which she did."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Personality also influences the age at which success strikes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps the age at which one start's exchanging blows?

The New York Times

This is the age at which many firefighters have been able to retire.

The Guardian

This is the age at which I should be sitting in the house and praying.

The New York Times

"An increase in the age at which postgraduates can get student loans?

The Guardian

The age at which horses start racing seems to be a touchy subject.

The New York Times

Breton's daughter Aube finally snapped as she neared 70, the age at which her father died.

The Guardian - Arts

The age at which a girl can marry is a case in point.

The Guardian

He is now 33, well past the age at which a cyclist is at his best.

The Guardian - Sport

The age at which people are thought 'young' changes over time and between cultures.

The Guardian

13 The age at which swimmer Ellie Simmonds became Britain's youngest individual Paralympic gold medallist.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the age at which" to clearly define a specific age as a threshold or a turning point for an event, process, or condition. This helps provide precise context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid replacing "at which" with other prepositions such as "in which" or omitting it altogether. While understandable, it can alter the sentence's meaning or sound awkward. Stick with "the age at which" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the age at which" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, often specifying a particular age as a condition or threshold. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it introduces clauses defining points in time related to various events or developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the age at which" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase employed to specify a particular age serving as a condition or reference point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "the time when" or "the year in which" exist, sticking to "the age at which" ensures clarity and precision, especially in formal writing. Be mindful of proper preposition usage and leverage this phrase to provide accurate temporal context in your writing. With a good source quality score and expert rating, Ludwig solidifies its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the age that

Omits the preposition 'at' for a slightly less formal tone.

the particular age when

Adds emphasis on the specificity of the age.

the time when

Focuses on the temporal aspect rather than the specific number of years.

the point in life that

Emphasizes life stage or a significant milestone.

the year in which

Highlights the specific calendar year.

the year that

Shortened version focusing on annual occurence.

the stage of life when

Refers to a broader developmental period instead of a precise age.

at what stage of development

Shifts focus onto the process rather than pinpointing the age.

the moment that

Emphasizes the specific instant something happens.

the specific point when

Highlights a precise moment or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "the age at which" in a sentence?

You can use "the age at which" to specify when something typically happens. For instance, "The study examined "the age at which" children begin to read independently."

What are some alternatives to "the age at which"?

Alternatives include "the time when", "the year in which", or "the point in life that" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at the age where" instead of "the age at which"?

While "at the age where" might be used in informal conversation, "the age at which" is grammatically more precise and suitable for formal writing. Using the relative pronoun "which" is generally preferred in this construction.

What's the difference between "the age at which" and "the age that"?

"The age at which" is more formal and emphasizes the specific moment or point in time. "The age that" is a shortened, less formal version that omits the preposition "at". Both are generally acceptable, but the former is preferred in academic or professional contexts.