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Srdjan Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

expression: at 25 years old

hi,

How would you account for the expression "at 25 years old" ? Is it correct to write this way?

I think the meaning is the same as
"...when I was 25 years old", but what confuses me is the expression itself.

"At 25" only would do, but having "years old"
after the preposition "at" is somewhat strange. I've seen a good many examples and don't think is incorrect.
Could you have a say on it plz?

Srdjee
  

Top answer

It sounds strange to me too. I don't think it's correct. You can say "at the age of 25", or, as you say "when I was 25 (years old)".

— Pieanne

  • It sounds strange to me too.
  • I don't think it's correct.
  • You can say "at the age of 25", or, as you say "when I was 25 (years old)".
  • It definitely doesn't sound right.
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10 Answers
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It sounds strange to me too. I don't think it's correct. You can say "at the age of 25", or, as you say "when I was 25 (years old)". It definitely doesn't sound right.
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Srdjanhi, How would you account for the expression "at 25 years old" ? Is it correct to write this way? I think the meaning is the same as "...when I was 25 years old", but what confuses me is the expression itself. "At 25" only would do, but having "years old" after the preposition "at" is somewhat strange. I've seen a good many examples and don't think is incorrect. Cou
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It may be correct, but the other version is much more used.
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PieanneIt may be correct, but the other version is much more used.
And how would you know that? Used where? In which context? Which register?
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PieanneIt may be correct, but the other version is much more used.
The British National Corpus gives the following information for "at * years old":

REGISTER
SPOKEN 4
FICTION 4
NEWS 10
ACADEMIC 1
NONFIC MISC 7
OTHER MISC 2
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Hi,

"At 15 years old, I was a rebel" sounds pretty odd to me.

Clive
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CliveHi,

"At 15 years old, I was a rebel" sounds pretty odd to me.

Clive

Really, why should it?

Ben Franklin:

At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he was not bred to, but had assumed on h
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Hi,

Because I have never heard it in my life, that I can recall. Maybe I just need to get out more.

Clive
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It is correct, but clearly not to be desired.
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ArchaicIt is correct, but clearly not to be desired.
Why on earth not?
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