Sentence choice

This particular sentence implies a comparison, so younger brother is more appropriate. Note that the comparative wouldn't be used with adjectives such as intelligent, good-looking or brave, where no comparison is implied.

PhilipThis particular sentence implies a comparison, so younger brother is more appropriate. Note that the comparative wouldn't be used with adjectives such as intelligent, good-looking or brave, where no comparison is implied.

Thanks. So when can the 'young' version be used, and how?

You can always say that your brother is 'young', as in 'my brother was too young to die' or 'my brother looks young for his age' or 'my brother is just a young man'. My feeling is that 'my young brother' just isn't natural, even though it is perfectly correct from a grammatical point of view.

PhilipYou can always say that your brother is 'young', as in 'my brother was too young to die' or 'my brother looks young for his age' or 'my brother is just a young man'. My feeling is that 'my young brother' just isn't natural, even though it is perfectly correct from a grammatical point of view.

Thanks for your examples. Yes, I agree that the 'young' versio

It doesn't accurately convey the comparison.
I repeat: 'my young brother' just isn't natural.