Difference between Older and Elder.

An old man and an old chest. Or an old man and an old chest. In Russian, the second option is also acceptable, although the first is richer, it allows you to convey more nuances. If we want to explain the difference in age in people, or, for example, to show that one object was made earlier than another, we can easily get by with the word "older". But in English, you have to use at least two options - older and elder - each of which has its own meaning.

Despite the similar spelling and sounding, these words in some cases even refer to different parts of speech. Older and elder are adjectives derived from the word old, but sometimes elder is also used as an independent noun, which is impossible for older. In such situations, it has the meaning of "senior (man)", "foreman". Importantly, the use of elder is possible only in relation to humans.

But what about adjectives when we use this or that variant? Older is a comparative adjective that is used when it is necessary to show that someone or something is older / older than another. My brother is older than me. My brother is older than me. Elder we say if we want to indicate the absolute seniority. My elder son is doing his homework. My oldest son is doing his homework.

Please note that if a woman has two sons, then this sentence is correct, but if there are more, it is necessary to use the form "eldest".

Conclusions TheDifference.ru

  1. Older is a comparative form of an adjective, elder is used as an adjective and a noun.
  2. Older = older, elder = elder / elder.
  3. Older applies to humans, animals, and inanimate objects, elder - only to humans.
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