when you were young or younger

[Heidi]

Dear friends,

If Jenny is ten years old, should I say "did you keep the photos you took when you were young" or "did you keep the photos you took when you were younger"?

If Jenny is, say, fifty years old, should I use 'when you were young' or 'when you were younger'?

Thank you!

[Rover_KE]

Dear friends,

If Jenny is ten years old, should I say "did you keep the photos you took when you were young" or "did you keep the photos you took when you were younger"? '. . .when you were younger.'

If Jenny is, say, fifty years old, should I use 'when you were young' or 'when you were younger'? '. . .when you were young.'

Thank you!

Of course, you may want to be more specific: '. . .when you were 5 or 6'; ' . . when you were in your twenties.'

Rover

[Heidi]

Of course, you may want to be more specific: '. . .when you were 5 or 6'; ' . . when you were in your twenties.'

Rover

Dear Rover,

Could you please give me more explanation about why we use '...when you were younger' if Jenny is 10 years old? I thought adjective+er is used when we want to make comparasion.

Thank you!

[bhaisahab]

Dear Rover,

Could you please give me more explanation about why we use '...when you were younger' if Jenny is 10 years old? I thought adjective+er is used when we want to make comparison.

Thank you!

The comparison is implied, "When you were younger (than you are now)".

[konungursvia]

The comparison is implied, "When you were younger (than you are now)".

Yes, "When you were younger" can be used for anyone.

However, it would be ridiculous to say "When you were young" to anyone under 27. They ARE young.