were of age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were of age" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has reached the legal age of adulthood or a specified age for a particular purpose. Example: "The participants in the study were of age to provide informed consent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

I'm not sure if the girls were of age or not.

The New York Times - Sports

Once they were of age, all that hope and excitement had evaporated.

The Guardian - Music

Throughout the evening, the officers' approach was one of informing youths and their parents of the new rules, or checking to make sure those lingering at street corners or stoops were of age.

The New York Times

At the festival of the Liberalia, held at Rome on March 17, the toga virilis was commonly assumed for the first time by boys who were of age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now I could not rightly be sold until all of the people's children I belonged to were of age, so the oldest one got married, so she was allowed to draw her part, though after she had drawned me she was not to sell me out of the family, for her Brother was my father.

The New York Times

If you were of age — fourteen for boys, twelve for girls — and if you either exchanged words of mutual consent in the present tense ("I take thee as my husband," "I take thee as my wife") or exchanged promises of future consent ("I will take thee," etc).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

You will be of age then.

The New Yorker

You had to be of age.

The New York Times

"I have three children who are of age," he said.

The New York Times

I'm of age to have children.

Vice

Be of age.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal contexts, using "were of age" clearly indicates that individuals have reached the legally defined age for certain activities or rights. Be specific with the age if context demands.

Common error

Avoid using "were of age" when you simply mean someone was mature or experienced. The phrase implies a specific legal or regulatory threshold has been met, not just general maturity. For instance, instead of "They were of age to handle the responsibility", consider "They were mature enough to handle the responsibility" if no specific age is legally relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were of age" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that individuals have satisfied a specific age requirement, often legal or regulatory. Ludwig shows many examples in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were of age" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, particularly in formal contexts, to denote that individuals have reached a specific age threshold, often legally defined. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied sources like science, news, and encyclopedias. While straightforward, it's important to distinguish its use from general maturity, ensuring the context aligns with a specific age-related requirement. Alternatives like "had reached adulthood" or "were old enough" can be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were the required age

This alternative highlights meeting a specific age requirement set by rules or regulations.

were of legal age

This alternative directly refers to meeting the age for legal rights and responsibilities.

had reached adulthood

This alternative emphasizes reaching the state of being an adult, focusing on legal and social maturity.

were above the minimum age

This alternative emphasizes surpassing a lower age limit, implying eligibility or permission.

met the age criteria

This alternative is a more formal way to express that someone satisfied the age requirements.

were old enough

This alternative is a more general way of saying someone met a minimum age requirement, applicable in various contexts.

qualified by age

This alternative suggests that age was a determining factor in meeting a certain requirement or condition.

had come of age

This alternative focuses on reaching maturity or a significant point in development, rather than a specific age.

were sufficiently mature

This alternative focuses on the level of maturity achieved, implying readiness or competence.

were past the age of consent

This alternative specifically addresses the age at which someone can legally give consent.

FAQs

How can I use "were of age" in a sentence?

Use "were of age" to specify that individuals have reached a legally defined age for a particular activity or right. For example, "All participants in the clinical trial "were of age" to provide informed consent."

What's a good alternative to "were of age"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "had reached adulthood", "were old enough", or "were the required age". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "were of age" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "were of age" is generally more appropriate in formal or legal contexts. In informal situations, simpler phrases like "were old enough" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "were of age" and "had come of age"?

"Were of age" indicates meeting a specific age requirement, while "had come of age" suggests reaching maturity or a significant point in development. The first is about legality and the second about maturity.