English Language & Usage Asked by Aneeta on December 13, 2020
If one has two elder brothers, is it OK to say “My eldest brother is this and the second eldest is that”?
Eldest is a superlative, while elder is a comparative. While you have two elder brothers, there can only be one eldest brother.
If you say,
My elder brother lives in Los Angeles, while my eldest brother lives in Chicago.
then the hearer would know that you have at least two elder brothers and that the oldest lives in Chicago.
Answered by rajah9 on December 13, 2020
I think that's fine, but other people evidently disagree. I found discussion of the topic of whether "second eldest" is a correct turn of expression in a court case, actually:
It is said, "second eldest" is not grammar; there can only be one "eldest". I do not agree in that. I suppose that it would be good grammar to say "A, B and C, are the three oldest men in the parish."
(Thellusson v. Rendlesham [1858-59], in The English Reports, Volume XI: House of Lords, Containing House of Lords Cases (Clark's), Volumes 7 to 11)
Answered by herisson on December 13, 2020
You don't have an "eldest" because there are only two. Same reason you don't have "second eldest" even. Both are your elder brothers:
the older of the elder brothers and the younger of the elder brothers.
Answered by Kris on December 13, 2020
Older and oldest refer to age --> She is the oldest member of the committee.
Elder and eldest refer to seniority within a family. --> My eldest sister is 4 years older than me.
Answered by Peter Selie on December 13, 2020
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