varying ages

USAGE SUMMARY

"varying ages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that people or things are of different ages. For example, "We have students of varying ages in our school, from kindergarten to eighth grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Different countries have varying ages of consent.

The New York Times

THE CROWD Mostly couples and twosomes of varying ages.

The New York Times

THE CROWD Couples and foursomes of varying ages, neatly dressed.

The New York Times

THE CROWD Very casually dressed folks of varying ages.

The New York Times

Make sure to speak with people of varying ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds.

The New York Times

Six anthologies for varying ages reflect Pearce's commitment to the form over the last 30 years.

The Guardian - Books

"The Lineup" introduced Ms. Latsky's cast of 25 people, of varying ages and shapes.

The New York Times - Arts

They are of varying ages, ethnicities, heights and shapes, as well as technical abilities.

The New York Times - Arts

People of varying ages, oblivious to Stevens's cameraman, were listening intently and then clapping.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dozens of local performers and nondancers of varying ages also take part.

The New York Times - Arts

Models of varying ages carrying attaché cases and sporting bristly, Magnum PI-inspired moustaches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group, use "varying ages" to emphasize the diversity within the group due to age differences.

Common error

Be mindful not to use "varying ages" when the context already implies age differences. For instance, avoid saying "families with children of varying ages" when "families with children" already implies different ages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varying ages" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that the noun it modifies (e.g. people, participants, items) consists of elements that are not all the same age. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "varying ages" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a collection of individuals or items that differ in age. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is especially common in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy and consider alternatives like "different age groups" or "wide age range" for greater precision. Overall, the phrase is versatile and widely accepted for indicating age diversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different age groups

Focuses on categorizing by age, rather than simply stating a variation.

wide age range

Highlights the extent of the age difference, rather than simply the existence of variation.

diverse age groups

Emphasizes the diversity within the ages represented.

mixed age ranges

Implies a deliberate combination of different ages.

assorted ages

Suggests a collection of various ages.

various generations

Focuses on generational differences, rather than specific age ranges.

differing generations

Similar to "various generations" but emphasizes the difference between those generations.

varied age brackets

Uses the term 'brackets' to imply the existence of age categories or ranges.

multiple age cohorts

This phrase is more formal and refers to the division of a population into groups based on age.

a spectrum of ages

Conveys a continuous range of ages, rather than distinct groups.

FAQs

How do I use "varying ages" in a sentence?

You can use "varying ages" to describe a group of people or things that are of different ages. For example, "The study included participants of varying ages."

What's the difference between "diverse ages" and "varying ages"?

"Varying ages" simply indicates that different ages are present. "Diverse ages" emphasizes the wide range and variety of ages, suggesting a more pronounced difference.

What can I say instead of "varying ages"?

Alternatives include "different age groups", "wide age range", or "assorted ages" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "children of varying ages"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "children of varying ages" can be somewhat redundant, as the term "children" typically implies a range of ages. In many contexts, simply saying "children" is sufficient.