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MrsAmanda Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
When to use larger/largest etc ..?
Hi All
I've just stumbled across this site, and think it's going to be very useful
A quick question about when to use 'er' or 'est'; ie in larger/largest, older/oldest and so on.
I'm sure I was taught at school (a very long time ago) that one would say 'larger' if comparing two things, and 'largest' would only be used if there were three objects or more.
I have one sibling, younger than me, so I am the older/elder, not the oldest.
However, I very rarely hear 'er' being used. I've just heard a TV presenter say 'I'll show the largest of the two holiday lets'. It really rankles me as I'm sure it should be 'larger', but I'm now doubting myself and wondering if I'm making it all up
Any clarification of the rules, if there are any, would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Amanda
I've just stumbled across this site, and think it's going to be very useful
A quick question about when to use 'er' or 'est'; ie in larger/largest, older/oldest and so on.
I'm sure I was taught at school (a very long time ago) that one would say 'larger' if comparing two things, and 'largest' would only be used if there were three objects or more.
I have one sibling, younger than me, so I am the older/elder, not the oldest.
However, I very rarely hear 'er' being used. I've just heard a TV presenter say 'I'll show the largest of the two holiday lets'. It really rankles me as I'm sure it should be 'larger', but I'm now doubting myself and wondering if I'm making it all up
Any clarification of the rules, if there are any, would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Amanda
Top answer
MrsAmanda I'm sure I was taught at school (a very long time ago) that one would say 'larger' if comparing two things, and 'largest' would only be used if there were three objects or more. This is correct. Careful usage requires -er for a comparison between two things.
- MrsAmanda I'm sure I was taught at school (a very long time ago) that one would say 'larger' if comparing two things, and 'largest' would only be used if there were three objects or more.
- This is correct.
- Careful usage requires -er for a comparison between two things.
- But not everyone is careful!
- CJ
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1 Answers
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MrsAmandaI'm sure I was taught at school (a very long time ago) that one would say 'larger' if comparing two things, and 'largest' would only be used if there were three objects or more.This is correct. Careful usage requires -er for a comparison between two things.
But not everyone is careful!
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