|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Describing someone ´s age
Describing someone ´s age
|
you_per7
|
Describing someone ´s age
|
|
Dear colleagues, What is the best adjective to describe someone in his 50 �s ???
I am not sure if we can describe him as an old man or there are other adjectives for this age. I �ll appreciate your comments in advance.
|
11 Aug 2015
|
|
|
|
Gi2gi
|
|
They�re called middle-aged (at least in my culture). |
11 Aug 2015
|
|
|
EstherLee76
|
|
I agree with that. We also try to avoid calling someone old. People in their 60s and up are referred to as "senior citizens" or "elderly". |
11 Aug 2015
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
I agree with Giorgi and Esther. For people and pets, "old" is only used for very advanced age, and even then, we don �t use it often. It is considered offensive. Bruce
|
11 Aug 2015
|
|
|
|
|
Apodo
|
|
You can say: He is an older genetleman in his 50s. We avoid �old � but there is a limit to how long one can be middle-aged (50+50 =100) and not so many of us will be 100 LOL |
12 Aug 2015
|
|
|
FrauSue
|
|
You can also make a noun out of his age - "He �s a 50-something" is fine, at least in British English. Other options: He �s in his 50s; He �s nearing retirement; He �s in the prime of his life (this is a good euphemism for someone approaching retirement age); He �s a mature gentleman. In reality, we often avoid making specific reference to age in order to avoid offence. Unless it �s really relevant to the context, just leave it out. |
24 Aug 2015
|
|
|
