Eldest oldest elder older

[Ju]

Eg. He is the eldest/oldest child in the family.

The answer in the exercise book is "eldest".

1. Why can't we use "oldest" for the above sentence?
2. How about the differences of usages between "older and elder"?

Thanks.

 

[Ju]

Eg. He is the eldest/oldest child in the family.

The answer in the exercise book is "eldest".

1. Why can't we use "oldest" for the above sentence?
2. How about the differences of usages between "older and elder"?

Thanks.

I've just found an old thread.from this forum as follows.


Can one both say : "It's their oldest/eldest child" ? Or is only "eldest" possible ?

It should be "eldest". You can say "He is my oldest friend" meaning he is the friend that you have had the longest.

If you say "He is my eldest friend" it means that he is the most aged of your friends.

Do you agree?

Thanks.

 

[probus]

These choices are merely stylistic. Older and oldest are always correct and acceptable.