younger than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "younger than" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when comparing the ages of two people or things. For example, "He is two years younger than his brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unsurprisingly, "Younger Than Jesus" has dicey aspects.

The New Yorker

"Younger Than Springtime".

The New York Times

("Younger Than Springtime" (reprise)).

Wikipedia

He's younger than my children.

The New Yorker

She was younger than him.

The New Yorker

She's younger than I am.

The New Yorker

She is much younger than he is.

The New Yorker

James is young, far younger than I.

The New Yorker

They looked younger than his older kids.

The New Yorker

Savage was three years younger than Gould.

The New Yorker

She was obviously younger than Helen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making comparisons using "younger than", ensure the comparison is clear and unambiguous. For example, "She is younger than her sister" avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "me" instead of "I" after "than" in formal writing. While "younger than me" is common in speech, "younger than I" is grammatically correct in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "younger than" serves primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It establishes a comparison between two entities, indicating that one is of a lesser age than the other. Ludwig's examples illustrate its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "younger than" is a common and grammatically correct way to compare ages. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, though awareness of formal vs. informal usage (e.g., "younger than I" vs. "younger than me") is important for maintaining grammatical precision. This phrase is frequently found in news, media and general content, making it a versatile tool for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as old as

Presents the comparison by focusing on the older entity.

of a younger age than

Rephrases the comparison using a more formal tone.

lower in age compared to

Provides a more descriptive and somewhat redundant way of stating the comparison.

junior to

Implies a formal relationship where one is subordinate to the other due to age or experience.

less senior to

Emphasizes a difference in seniority or rank, not just age.

less experienced than

Highlights a difference in experience level, potentially correlated with age.

of a lower generation than

Highlights generational differences rather than specific age gaps.

more recent than

Compares timelines of existence or creation, implying a later start.

new to

Focuses on the newness and inexperience in relation to something else.

not as chronologically advanced as

Uses formal language to describe age difference.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "younger than" in a sentence?

Use "younger than" to compare the age of two people or things. For example, "My brother is five years younger than I am."

What's a more formal way to say "younger than"?

In formal contexts, you might use "not as old as" or "less senior to", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "younger than me"?

While commonly used in informal speech, in formal writing, the grammatically correct form is "younger than I". However, to avoid sounding stilted, consider rephrasing the sentence.

What are some alternative phrases similar to "younger than"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "junior to", "of a younger age than", or simply "not as old as".