Pastsimple  +  278315 Mon, 09 Oct 06 05:40 PM Hi, could someone please answer these questions: 1. Can the sentences below be used in formal situations? She has a daughter your age. Kelly is my age. Though I hear sentences like those often and I do use them, they don't sound like formal English to me. 2. Are there any other ways in which we can say the same thing? Would anyone use sentences like the one below in everyday speech? In formal writing? She has a daughter (who is) as old as you. 3. I've heard people omit the definite article in sentences like: She has a daughter (the) same age as you.             (i.e. age of her daughter = your age) She has a daughter (the) same age as yours.          (i.e. age of her daughter = your daughter's age) How "substandard" that omission is? Do native speakers often omit the article in that situation? Thanks in advance. Pastsimple Joined on Thu, Feb 16 2006 Czech Republic, Europe Full Member 328 If you are a native speaker and find any grammar or stylistic mistakes in my posts, don't hesitate to tell me! I will really appreciate that. Articles, Definite Articles

	Grammar Geek  +  278322 Mon, 09 Oct 06 05:56 PM 1. This sounds completely right to my American ears. 2. Sure, you can say this. She has a daughter your age, she has a daughter who is the same age as you. (I don't really like "as old as you." Perhaps now that I'm 40, I don't like "old" and "you" used in the same sentence ) 3. I have not heard this with articles omitted and to do so sound wrong to me. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,652 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Articles

	Maple  +  278336 Mon, 09 Oct 06 06:17 PM  Pastsimple wrote:  Are there any other ways in which we can say the same thing? I like adding of in both sentences. (maybe I should get rid of this habbit) She has a daughter of your age. Kelly is of my age. Maple Joined on Tue, Jul 11 2006 An ESL student in China Contributing Member 1,110

	Grammar Geek  +  278339 Mon, 09 Oct 06 06:25 PM I think this was discussed before? American English, no "of." I think maybe it's different for BrE? Grammar Geek

	Maple  +  278341 Mon, 09 Oct 06 06:30 PM Hmm, Thank you Barbara! And I think...  Grammar Geek wrote: (I don't really like "as old as you." Perhaps now that I'm 40, I don't like "old" and "you" used in the same sentence ) Considering all the achievements we know from your posts--a two children's mother, a skilled writer and a diligent teacher in this forum--40 is fairly young and well worth of feeling proud of.   Maple Grammar

	Pastsimple  +  278357 Mon, 09 Oct 06 07:05 PM  Grammar Geek wrote: I think this was discussed before? American English, no "of." I think maybe it's different for BrE? Well, I think it's not. At least, the Brits I work with don't use the "of" and never correct my sentences without the "of" in age-related sentences like those mentioned. However, I'm not sure whether Brits would say "has been discussed before" or "was discussed before". As for Maple's post: a mother of two is, in my opinion, much better than a two children's mother Pastsimple American English, Grammar

	Maple  +  278476 Tue, 10 Oct 06 02:51 AM  Pastsimple wrote: a mother of two is, in my opinion, much better than a two children's mother Thank you!   (In fact,  I need such kind of advice badly. Maple

	CalifJim  +  278542 Tue, 10 Oct 06 06:56 AM Can the sentences below be used in formal situations? She has a daughter your age. Kelly is my age. Yes.  I can imagine Queen Elizabeth saying it to an ambassador at a state dinner.  Is that formal enough? CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,389 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche