What's the difference between OLD and ELDERLY? And do I say my "older brother" or "my elder brother"?
in this video you'll find out. so stay tuned.
Hello and welcome to LetThemTalk and I've got a vocabulary lesson for you today. What
I wanted to talk about is the difference between OLD and ELDERLY it's a small difference but
an important one and It's a common mistake and if you get it wrong it can cause offence
and that's why I decided to make a video about it today.
So, If you're talking about things just use OLD but with people it can be different.
We use old to talk about people in general above a certain age but if you want to show
respect for that person you use: ELDERLY not OLD. It's not nice to call somebody old especially
if they are in the same room as you. So, for example, if you are on the bus and you see
a lady of mature years you might say. "This elderly lady would like to have a seat" and
not "there is an old woman here who wants to sit down". No that wouldn't be respectful.
So "an elderly lady". ..."I'm taking my elderly mother to the theatre this evening" ok so
it's a sign of respect. One other point when we are talking brothers
and sisters who are older than us we say our ELDER brother or sister. "My elder brother
is visiting me this weekend". Again it's a word of respect.
So usually the comparatives for old are - old - older - oldest (as I'm sure you know) but
for brothers and sisters it's - old - elder - eldest. ."I've got two sisters Jennifer
is the eldest". but because these words are honorific terms
you just use them when you are talking about other people. when you're talking about yourself
you can just use OLD. So you might say. "I'm an old man now I can't play football any more"....
"I've got 3 brothers and I'm the oldest. " ok so when you're talking about yourself then
well there you are a small point but important point so do learn it and thank you for watching