very young

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very young" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is in the early stage of their life or development. Example: The puppy was very young and full of energy, bounding around the yard with its tail wagging.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Very young".

The New Yorker

So very young.

Independent

Still very young.

The New York Times - Food

I was very young.

The New York Times

And very young.

The New York Times

And the very young.

The New Yorker

She is very young.

The New Yorker

He's still very young".

The New York Times - Sports

"They are very young.

Independent

And I was very young.

Independent

Our infrastructure is very young.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "very young", consider the context to ensure it doesn't sound condescending or dismissive. Focus on potential rather than lack of experience.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "very young" automatically equates to inexperience or incompetence. Recognize that young individuals can possess valuable skills and insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very young" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of youthfulness or newness. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing people, organizations, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very young" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize youthfulness or inexperience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used to describe entities in their early stages. It finds frequent use in news and media, with neutral connotation but is usable in almost every context. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously to avoid ageist implications. Consider alternative phrases like "quite young" or "relatively new" based on context and avoid assumptions based solely on youth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite young

Emphasizes youth to a slightly lesser degree.

extremely youthful

Highlights the characteristic of youth in a more pronounced manner.

relatively new

Focuses on the newness or recent origin, implying a lack of extensive experience.

fresh-faced

Implies youth through physical appearance and innocence.

in early stages

Shifts the focus to development, implying the beginning phases of growth or progress.

just starting out

Highlights the commencement of a career or activity, indicating inexperience.

in their youth

Refers to the period of being young, often nostalgic.

not long in the tooth

An idiomatic expression meaning not old, thus young.

barely an adult

Emphasizes being on the cusp of adulthood, implying youthfulness.

in its infancy

Implies being at the beginning stage of development, like a baby.

FAQs

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

"Very young" can be used to describe a person's age, the age of an organization, or the stage of development of something. For example, "She is "very young" to be a CEO" or "The company is "very young", having only been founded last year."

What are some alternatives to saying "very young"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "quite young", "extremely youthful", or "relatively new" to express the same idea.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "very young" in a professional setting?

It depends on the context. While it's generally acceptable, avoid using it in a way that could be perceived as ageist or dismissive. Focus on skills and potential rather than age alone.

What is the difference between "very young" and "young"?

"Very young" emphasizes the youthfulness more strongly than simply saying "young". It implies a greater degree of inexperience or early stage of development.