when they were younger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they were younger" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to refer to a time in the past when someone was younger. For example: - "When they were younger, my parents used to take us on family trips every summer." - "They had more energy and fewer responsibilities when they were younger." - "When they were younger, they didn't have as much life experience." - "I remember playing in the park with my siblings when we were younger." - "When they were younger, they dreamed of traveling the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They fell out when they were younger.

Independent

"Yeah, when they were younger.

The Guardian

When they were younger, they'd held hands.

The New Yorker

Many say they were not religious when they were younger.

The Economist

Most recalled reading it when they were younger.

The Guardian - Books

Some residents remember visiting the farm when they were younger.

The Guardian

Tells how they worked the birthday--party circuit when they were younger.

The New Yorker

There are a few disagreements, but nothing like when they were younger".

The New York Times

Others had problems when they were younger and then enjoyed decades of mostly clear skin.

The New York Times

The boys seemed fine when they were younger but gradually lost control of their movements.

The New York Times

Some players had bar mitzvahs when they were younger; others did not.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they were younger" to provide context about past behaviors, experiences, or characteristics that have changed over time. This helps create a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "when they were younger" without a clear reference point in the narrative. Ensure the reader understands whose younger years are being discussed to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they were younger" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action or state occurred. It introduces a temporal context, indicating that the action in the main clause happened during their youth. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Huffington Post

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

The Guardian

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they were younger" functions as an adverbial clause of time, offering context by contrasting past states with the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various platforms. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals a neutral register and high frequency, especially in "News & Media". To ensure clarity, avoid ambiguity by providing a clear reference point and to refer to a specific younger age consider alternative expressions such as "earlier in their lives" or "in their youth".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a younger age

Directly compares a past younger age with the current age.

earlier in their lives

A more general way to refer to a time in the past when they were younger.

in their younger days

Emphasizes a past period contrasting with the present.

back when they were young

Adds emphasis on a time in the past.

in their youth

Replaces the clause with a noun phrase referring to the period of being young.

when they were little

Uses a more informal term ('little') to describe being young.

during their childhood

Specifically refers to the period of childhood.

as children

A concise way to refer to when they were children.

during their adolescence

Specifically refers to the period of adolescence.

in their formative years

Focuses on the period of life that shapes character and abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "when they were younger" in a sentence?

Use "when they were younger" to refer to a past time in someone's life. For example, "When they were younger, they used to play in the park every day."

What's a more formal alternative to "when they were younger"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "earlier in their lives" or "in their youth" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "when they was younger"?

No, the correct phrasing is "when they were younger". "Were" is the past tense plural form of "to be" and is used with the pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "when they were younger" and "when they were children"?

"When they were younger" is a broader term referring to a time when someone was not as old as they are now, whereas "when they were children" specifically refers to their childhood years.