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Yskh81 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Re: Eldest/oldest
Hi,
the sentence u have given is inaccurate. u should use some noun along with 'eldest' and 'oldest',
the correct sentence is : "my eldest son is already 15 yrs old".
the sentence u have given is inaccurate. u should use some noun along with 'eldest' and 'oldest',
the correct sentence is : "my eldest son is already 15 yrs old".
Top answer
is it correct to say my OLDEST son is 15 yrs old? or should eldest be used in the sentence?
- is it correct to say my OLDEST son is 15 yrs old?
- or should eldest be used in the sentence?
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15 Answers
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is it correct to say my OLDEST son is 15 yrs old? or should eldest be used in the sentence?
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'Older' and 'oldest' are used of people or things, but 'elder' and 'eldest' are used only of people, and only for members of the same family:
"Tom is older than his neighbour."
"Mr Davies is the oldest man in the factory."
"Jane is Mary's elder sister."
"I have three daughters; Sue is the eldest."
'Elder' cannot be used in comparisons: "Jane is older than M
"Tom is older than his neighbour."
"Mr Davies is the oldest man in the factory."
"Jane is Mary's elder sister."
"I have three daughters; Sue is the eldest."
'Elder' cannot be used in comparisons: "Jane is older than M
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"elder/eldest" btw are the actual comparative and superlative forms of "old", and the e still reflects an Umlaut, which became uncommon in English during the years.
Because of analogy, the old Umlauts usually have been replaced in most cases by their actual stem vowels - so here.
Because of analogy, the old Umlauts usually have been replaced in most cases by their actual stem vowels - so here.
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All of these forms are correct - for usage read the postings above;
"elder/eldest" only for usage for family related subjects, otherwise it's "older/oldest".
Always "older" for comparising, even if used in a family related context.
"elder/eldest" only for usage for family related subjects, otherwise it's "older/oldest".
Always "older" for comparising, even if used in a family related context.
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01 cite 10 Yskh81 12 cite 10 Hi, 12 br10 Actually you're wrong. Omitting the noun is fine - saying "my eldes
10 the sentence u have given is inaccurate. u should use some noun along with 'eldest' and 'oldest', 12 br
10 the correct sentence is : "my eldest son is already 15 yrs old". 12 blockquote
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0 Hi, 02 br
02 br
00 Where I live, I rarely hear anyone use the word 'eldest'. Everyone says 'oldest'. My feeling is that it is a word that is in decline. 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 Best wishes, Clive 010id 6
02 br
00 Where I live, I rarely hear anyone use the word 'eldest'. Everyone says 'oldest'. My feeling is that it is a word that is in decline. 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 Best wishes, Clive 010id 6
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0 01 blockquote
01 cite 10 Clive 12 cite 10 Hi, 12 br10 Do they say or do you say "My old
12 br
10 Where I live, I rarely hear anyone use the word 'eldest'. Everyone says 'oldest'. My feeling is that it is a word that is in decline. 15 0 12 br
12 br
10 Best wishes, Clive 12 br
12 br
12 blockquote
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0 Hi, 02 br
02 br
00 In my experience, most people say 'My older brother'. 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 Clive 010id 1
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00 In my experience, most people say 'My older brother'. 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 Clive 010id 1
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0 Wouldnt saying "my eldest brother" imply that you have more than one brother, and you are referring to the brother that is the oldest of all your brothers? If you say "my older brother", you are implying you only have one brother who happens to be older than you. Does that make any sense? 0-
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