"They are the same age" vs "They are at the same age"

[nessie]

Hi,

I've heard that "They are the same age" is correct and "they are at the same age" is incorrect. Is this true and if it is, then why? (I can't make it out why the version without a conjunction is more right than the other)

Many thanks in anticipation
Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Jamie (K)]

I don't think there's any reason, Nessie, but by convention, "They are the same age," is the one most commonly used.

It's not wrong to say, "They're at the same age," though. It's just rare has a different feeling to it. It means something like, "They are both at the age when people display some certain type of behavior."

So, if you see two small children who seem to be the same size, and you ask, "How old are they?" you are asking only about their age. The answer would be something like, "They're both the same age. They're three years old."

If you see two children who both seem to be very crazy about dinosaurs, you may say something about this, and the answer would be, "They're both at the same age." It means that they are close in age, and that that age happens to be the one at which children are crazy about dinosaurs. (Or they could be in their "terrible twos", where children always say "no!" or they could be two girls at the age where all they think about is horses.)

[daemon99]

[Jamie (K)]

[daemon99]

[k8t]

"They're the same age" generally indicates that two (or more) individuals have the same age.

"They're at the same age" usually suggests an attitude shared by two (or more) individuals of a similar age.

For example:
"I have two cousins, Mary and Beth. They're the same age" (which could indicate they are both identical ages).
vs.

"My sister Martha and my friend Lisa adore horses. They're at the same age when I, too, couldn't get over how beautiful horses were." Another variant that would be equivalent to "they're at the same age" would be the more commonly used, "they are at the age when..."

Example: "They're at the age when all they think about is horses. They'll grow out of it soon enough."

Cheers.

[nessie]

Thanks a lot, everybody

I never think Western girls adore horses that much
I myself have never seen a real horse and truly speaking, I see nothing so great about horses

[jaysee]

Please, how about "they have the same age"?
Thanks.

[Jamie (K)]

[lost_soul]

Hi, Jamie

What about this rephasing: They are of the same age
Does of spoil the broth, or is it OK ?

Thank you !

[Jamie (K)]