Elder یا Older کدوم درسته؟

Older

or

Elder?

older and elder are so similar

because they are both comparative adjectives.

we use them to refer to greater age

when we want to compare things.

But

there are also some differences between them

Difference number 1:

We can use old to refer

to the age of people.

For example: John is my older brother.

Also you can use it to refer

to the age of things.

For example:

This is my older bag.

But

you cannot use elder

to refer to the age of things as well.

If I say:

John is my elder brother

the sentence is completely correct.

But I cannot say

this is my elder bag.

Nobody says that.

Difference number 2:

The position

We can use old in two possible positions:

A

you can use it before a noun

For example

John is my older brother.

Brother in here is my noun

and older is an adjective that comes

before my noun.

Also I can use it after a linking verb.

For example:

John seems older than you.

But

I cannot use elder after linking verbs.

I can say

John is my elder brother

I used it before a noun

and it is correct

because I can use elder before a noun.

But

I cannot use it after a linking verb.

This is wrong!

Difference number 3:

I can use elder

to show more respect toward the person

that I am speaking about.

For example I can say:

This position belongs to elder people only

and this is completely correct.

If I say “older people” it is also correct

but I want to be more polite

I want to show my respect toward these people

So I say “elder”.

That’s why you see some people say for example

this person is my elder brother

specially you use it when

this brother is way older than you

and you want to show respect.

That was it..that was all lesson

If you have anything in mind

any similar words

that you want to know the differences

you want to know where I can use it

where I should not use it

you can write it in the comment section

I’m gonna see you soon and

bye!