Older and elder

[shikha_kandwal]

What is the difference between older and elder

[hector51]

basically,they are the same...but there is little difference in their meaning.When referring to someone who is older than you in your family or someone that have close relationship with you,you should use "elder".

Hope that helps
my 2 cents

Originally Posted by shikha_kandwal

What is the difference between older and elder

Positive Comparative Superlative
old - older - the oldest
-elder - the eldest


This house is old. It is older than that one over there.

" elder" and "the eldest" are used only attributivelly [preceding a noun]when talking about the members of the same family:
e.g.
My elder sister is two years older than me.
His elder brother works in a factory. He is older than me. He is the oldest worker in that factory.
The eldest brother [of all brothers] is Jim.

Regards,

[spoon]

By the way,

hector51, what does that mean, " my 2 cents"?

I've been curious about the meaning.

Could you tell me the meaning?

Thanks..

Spoon

Originally Posted by shikha_kandwal

What is the difference between older and elder

old - older [comparative] - the oldest[superlative]
-elder[comparative] - the eldest[superlative]


This house is old. It is older than that one over there.

" elder" and "the eldest" are used only attributivelly when talking about the members of the same family:
e.g.
My elder sister is two years older than me.
His elder brother works in a factory. He is older than me. He is the oldest worker in that factory.

Regards,

[thestudentproofreader]

Just to add....

Usually, 'older' and 'elder' are used before or after a noun/subject, i.e:

The older/elder brother

OR

John was older/eldest

Noe: In regards to 'elder', this can be used (unlike older) to act as a subject, i.e:

Respect your elders

OR

The elders observed the youngsters

Hope this helps

http://www.studentproofreader.com

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by spoon

what does that mean, " my 2 cents"?

It's a phrase used when people give an opinion, a way of suggestiung that it is what they think and not necessarily an accepted fact.

[hector51]

Originally Posted by tdol

It's a phrase used when people give an opinion, a way of suggestiung that it is what they think and not necessarily an accepted fact.

I'm with you,tdol