#1  
Old 28-Sep-2006, 22:24
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default the second oldest

I Žd like to ask if I can say the second oldest.
Thanks in advance
  #2  
Old 28-Sep-2006, 22:37
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 671
Default Re: the second oldest

Quote:
Originally Posted by petr View Post
I Žd like to ask if I can say the second oldest.
Thanks in advance
Yes, you can say it .

It is both understandable, and would be used by many native English speakers. If you want to be technically correct, you should say 'the second eldest' - but don't worry about it.
  #3  
Old 30-Sep-2006, 19:43
MikeNewYork's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,073
Member Type: Academic
Default Re: the second oldest

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffa View Post
Yes, you can say it .

It is both understandable, and would be used by many native English speakers. If you want to be technically correct, you should say 'the second eldest' - but don't worry about it.
"Second oldest" would be far more common in AE.

Google:

Web Results 1 - 10 of about 1,340,000 for "second oldest".

Web Results 1 - 10 of about 85,900 for "second eldest".
  #4  
Old 30-Sep-2006, 19:50
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 671
Default Re: the second oldest

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork View Post
"Second oldest" would be far more common in AE.

Google:

Web Results 1 - 10 of about 1,340,000 for "second oldest".

Web Results 1 - 10 of about 85,900 for "second eldest".
It's far more common to think that William Wallace looked like Mel Gibson (especially if you base your research on Google). It's not 'technically correct' however .
  #5  
Old 30-Sep-2006, 20:22
MikeNewYork's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,073
Member Type: Academic
Default Re: the second oldest

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffa View Post
It's far more common to think that William Wallace looked like Mel Gibson (especially if you base your research on Google). It's not 'technically correct' however .
Technically correct for whom? Whichever "rule" you are quoting doesn't exist in my version of English.
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
second, oldest


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
older,elderand eldest dean Ask a Teacher 3 12-Feb-2004 13:32


All times are GMT. The time now is 04:25.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.