the age when

USAGE SUMMARY

"the age when" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular time period or era. For example, "During the age when phones were the size of bricks, people communicated in more creative ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That is the age when people have their midlife crisis. . .

The Washington Post

JULIE, meanwhile, is nearing the age when many people retire.

The New York Times

I've reached the age when that identity becomes more accessible.

The Guardian - Books

It's completely evocative of that carefree young moment, the age when people are carefree.

The Guardian - Film

Rejoice, then, when your little ones reach the age when they, too, can hit the slopes.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps the twentieth century will be regarded as the age when insulation was made perfect.

Nature

He knows, though, that he is nearing the age when many of his ancestors died.

The New York Times - Health

But Judge Weinstein is 96 — decades past the age when most Americans choose to stop working.

The New York Times

She was a modernist in the age when modernism was called "the international style".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was only 17--the age when Napoleon himself was still in military school.

Forbes

But at 'the age when nothing fits,' something begins, very tentatively, to fit".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the age when" to clearly define a specific period characterized by particular events or conditions. For example, "The age when personal computers became affordable transformed society."

Common error

Avoid using future tenses with "the age when" if you're referring to a past event. For example, instead of "the age when technology will dominate", use "the age when technology dominated" if discussing a past period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the age when" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a specific period or stage characterized by certain conditions or events. It introduces a relative clause that provides further information about the noun it modifies. As Ludwig indicates, it's a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the age when" is a versatile phrase used to specify a period or stage marked by particular events or conditions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across various domains. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, introducing a relative clause and is used to contextualize events within a specific timeframe. Usage ranges from neutral to formal, depending on the context. While it's prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it's less common in Encyclopedias and Reference materials. When using "the age when", ensure correct tense usage and clarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the period in which

Replaces "age" with "period" and "when" with "in which", maintaining a formal tone.

the time that

Substitutes "age" with "time" and "when" with "that", offering a slightly less formal option.

the era in which

Uses "era" instead of "age", conveying a broader historical timeframe.

the stage at which

Replaces "age" with "stage", implying a phase or development.

the point in time when

Emphasizes a specific moment rather than a longer period.

the moment that

Similar to "the point in time when", but even more focused on a precise instant.

during the years that

Specifies a duration of multiple years, adding a temporal dimension.

in the epoch that

Employs "epoch" instead of "age", suggesting a significant historical division.

the phase of life when

Focuses specifically on a stage within a person's lifespan.

the historical moment when

Adds explicit emphasis on the historical significance of the time.

FAQs

How can I use "the age when" in a sentence?

You can use "the age when" to describe a particular period or stage characterized by specific events or conditions. For example, "This is "the age when you want to show the world you have value"."

What phrases are similar to "the age when"?

Similar phrases include "the period in which", "the time that", or "the era in which". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to use "the age where" instead of "the age when"?

While "where" typically refers to a location, "when" refers to a time. Therefore, "the age when" is generally the correct choice for describing a period.

What's the difference between "the age when" and "after the age when"?

"The age when" refers to the period itself, while "after the age when" refers to a time following that period.