Usage of “elder” and “eldest” in degrees of comparison
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If one has two elder brothers, is it OK to say "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that"?
word-usage comparative superlative-degree
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If one has two elder brothers, is it OK to say "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that"?
word-usage comparative superlative-degree
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 days ago
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If one has two elder brothers, is it OK to say "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that"?
word-usage comparative superlative-degree
If one has two elder brothers, is it OK to say "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that"?
word-usage comparative superlative-degree
word-usage comparative superlative-degree
edited Jul 19 at 15:30
sumelic
44.5k7105207
44.5k7105207
asked Jul 19 at 7:02
Aneeta
111
111
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 days ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 days ago
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4 Answers
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Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Older and oldest refer to age
--> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family.
--> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
answered Jul 19 at 14:47
rajah9
9,92211944
9,92211944
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
add a comment |
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
1
1
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I wouldn't contrast "my eldest brother" with "my elder brother" like this. The expression "my elder brother" is typically understood as meaning something like "my brother who is older than me". So when you start a sentence with "my elder brother", it's not clear that you have two brothers and that you are talking about the younger one.
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:01
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
I don't see how there is anything wrong with the expression "second eldest". Superlatives are fairly commonly prefixed with "second" to indicate "the next-to-greatest".
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:03
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
Related: Can the eldest sibling of three males call his younger brother “my older brother”
– sumelic
Jul 19 at 15:12
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
The specific phrase "My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that" complicates the apparent issue into near incomprehensibility. I suggest that older/elder/eldest is vastly more complex than most of us realise, and not simply because at least a huge minority of, if not most English speakers couldn't explain it to save their lives. If you're sure "older/elder/eldest" isn't about number, that's fine. In my view there is no comparison to older/elder/eldest in any other part of English, purely because this is about number… More…
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:29
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
Further… “Good/better/best” has nothing to do with number in English or any other language while several Central European languages do make important distinctions among one; more than one and up to five; more than five; many. (Try, for instance Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Slovenian and possibly Russian, among others.)
– Robbie Goodwin
Jul 19 at 21:32
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
answered Jul 19 at 15:12
sumelic
44.5k7105207
44.5k7105207
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Older and oldest refer to age
--> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family.
--> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Older and oldest refer to age
--> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family.
--> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Older and oldest refer to age
--> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family.
--> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
Older and oldest refer to age
--> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family.
--> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
answered Oct 24 at 7:10
Peter Selie
1
1
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
add a comment |
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
1
1
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
Hi Peter, welcome to EL&U. I'm inclined to agree with your answer, but at this site we don't rely on personal opinion, we seek authoritative answers backed up by evidence. You can edit your post to add a quote from a reference book or an explanation and link to an online source. See How to Answer for further guidance. :-)
– Chappo
Oct 24 at 8:14
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
answered Jul 23 at 8:53
Kris
32.3k541116
32.3k541116
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
add a comment |
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
If both brothers are older, why do you need to specify elder? My oldest (youngest) brother would suffice and is not ambiguous.
– JJJ
Jul 25 at 6:29
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
@JJJ Perhaps. :D
– Kris
Jul 25 at 6:30
add a comment |
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