What Is the Definition of Comparative Degree?

The comparative degree defines a form of adjective or adverb that indicates a higher degree of a quality. Understanding how to use comparatives correctly enhances your writing and speaking skills, and compare.edu.vn offers comprehensive guides and comparisons to help you master this grammar concept. Explore our resources to refine your language skills and delve into other grammatical aspects such as superlative degrees, adverbs of degree and degrees of comparison.

1. Understanding Comparative Degrees

Comparative degrees are essential for expressing comparisons between two things. They allow us to specify which of the two possesses a certain quality to a greater extent. Let’s break down the basics to clarify “What Is The Definition Of Comparative Degree”.

1.1. Basic Definition

A comparative degree is a form of an adjective or adverb that shows a higher degree of a quality than the positive degree (the base form of the adjective or adverb). It’s used to compare two nouns or pronouns. For example, “taller” is the comparative form of “tall,” and it indicates that one thing is higher in stature than another.

1.2. How to Form Comparative Degrees

The formation of comparative degrees depends on the number of syllables in the adjective or adverb. Here’s a detailed look:

One-Syllable Adjectives: Generally, add “-er” to the end of the adjective.
- Example: tall becomes taller, short becomes shorter, fast becomes faster.
Two-Syllable Adjectives: Some two-syllable adjectives can take “-er,” while others require “more” before the adjective. It often depends on what sounds more natural.
- Using “-er”: happy becomes happier, simple becomes simpler.
- Using “more”: nervous becomes more nervous, careful becomes more careful.
Three or More Syllable Adjectives: Always use “more” before the adjective.
- Example: beautiful becomes more beautiful, expensive becomes more expensive, complicated becomes more complicated.
Adverbs: Many adverbs also use “more” to form the comparative.
- Example: quickly becomes more quickly, easily becomes more easily, frequently becomes more frequently.

1.3. Irregular Forms

Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative forms that don’t follow the standard rules. These need to be memorized.

Adjective/Adverb	Comparative Form
Good	Better
Bad	Worse
Far	Farther/Further
Little	Less
Much/Many	More

1.4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Double Comparatives: Avoid using both “more” and “-er” at the same time (e.g., “more taller”).
Incorrect Usage with Syllables: Make sure to use “more” with longer adjectives and adverbs rather than incorrectly adding “-er.”
Spelling Errors: Pay attention to spelling changes, such as doubling the final consonant in words like “big” (bigger).

1.5. Examples in Sentences

“John is taller than his brother.”
“This car is more expensive than the other one.”
“She runs faster than I do.”
“The movie was more interesting than the book.”

2. Detailed Rules for Forming Comparative Degrees

To effectively use comparative degrees, it’s essential to understand the specific rules that govern their formation. These rules are based on the number of syllables in the adjective or adverb, and they ensure grammatical correctness.

2.1. One-Syllable Words

For most one-syllable adjectives and adverbs, forming the comparative degree is straightforward: simply add “-er” to the end of the word.

Rule: Add “-er” to the end of the adjective or adverb.
Examples:
- Tall → Taller: “He is taller than his sister.”
- Short → Shorter: “This road is shorter than the highway.”
- Fast → Faster: “A cheetah is faster than a lion.”
- Old → Older: “My brother is older than me.”
- Cold → Colder: “Winter in Chicago is colder than in Miami.”

2.1.1. Special Cases

Words Ending in “e”: If the adjective or adverb already ends in “e,” just add “r.”
- Example:
  - Nice → Nicer: “Being polite is nicer than being rude.”
  - Late → Later: “I woke up later than usual today.”
Words Ending in Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC): Double the final consonant before adding “-er.” This rule applies to words where a consonant is preceded by a single vowel, which in turn is preceded by another consonant.
- Example:
  - Big → Bigger: “An elephant is bigger than a horse.”
  - Hot → Hotter: “The desert is hotter than the forest.”
  - Fat → Fatter: “After the holidays, I feel fatter.”
  - Thin → Thinner: “She became thinner after starting her diet.”

Examples of one-syllable adjective comparisons

2.2. Two-Syllable Words

Two-syllable adjectives and adverbs present a bit more complexity. Some follow the “-er” rule, while others require the use of “more” before the word.

Rule: For some two-syllable adjectives and adverbs, add “-er.” For others, use “more” before the word.
Examples Using “-er”:
- Happy → Happier: “She is happier now that she has a new job.”
- Easy → Easier: “This test is easier than the last one.”
- Simple → Simpler: “The instructions were simpler this time.”
- Busy → Busier: “The city is busier during the day than at night.”
- Pretty → Prettier: “She looks prettier with her hair down.”

2.2.1. When to Use “More”

In general, use “more” with two-syllable adjectives and adverbs that end in suffixes other than “-y,” “-ly,” or “-ow.” However, usage can sometimes depend on personal preference or regional dialect.

Examples Using “More”:
- Careful → More Careful: “It is more careful to double-check your work.”
- Anxious → More Anxious: “I am more anxious about this interview than the last one.”
- Pleasant → More Pleasant: “The weather today is more pleasant than yesterday.”
- Recent → More Recent: “The more recent studies show different results.”
- Common → More Common: “Smartphones are more common than landlines these days.”

2.3. Three or More Syllable Words

For adjectives and adverbs with three or more syllables, the comparative degree is consistently formed using “more” before the word.

Rule: Use “more” before the adjective or adverb.
Examples:
- Beautiful → More Beautiful: “The garden is more beautiful in the spring.”
- Expensive → More Expensive: “This car is more expensive than the other one.”
- Difficult → More Difficult: “Quantum physics is more difficult than classical physics.”
- Interesting → More Interesting: “This documentary is more interesting than the news.”
- Important → More Important: “Education is more important than ever before.”

2.4. Adverbs

Adverbs also follow similar rules for forming the comparative degree.

One-Syllable Adverbs: Add “-er.”
- Example:
  - Fast → Faster: “He runs faster than she does.”
Two or More Syllable Adverbs: Use “more.”
- Example:
  - Quickly → More Quickly: “She completed the task more quickly than expected.”
  - Efficiently → More Efficiently: “The new system works more efficiently than the old one.”

2.5. Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs

Irregular adjectives and adverbs have unique comparative forms that do not follow standard rules. These forms must be memorized.

Adjective/Adverb	Comparative Form	Example Sentence
Good	Better	“His performance was better than his previous one.”
Bad	Worse	“The situation is worse now than it was before.”
Far	Farther/Further	“He walked farther than she did.”
Little	Less	“I have less time than I thought.”
Much/Many	More	“She has more experience than he does.”

2.6. Tips for Remembering the Rules

Syllable Count: Always start by counting the syllables in the adjective or adverb.
Common Endings: Pay attention to common endings like “-y” or “-e,” which often indicate whether to use “-er” or “more.”
Irregular Forms: Create flashcards or use mnemonic devices to memorize irregular forms.
Practice: The more you practice using comparative degrees, the more natural they will become.
Consult Resources: Use online grammar resources and style guides to confirm usage.

3. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Using comparative degrees correctly can be challenging, and certain common mistakes often arise. Understanding these pitfalls and how to avoid them will significantly improve your writing and speaking accuracy.

3.1. Double Comparatives

One of the most common errors is using a double comparative, which means combining “more” with an adjective that already has the “-er” suffix.

Mistake: “This car is more faster than the other one.”
Correct: “This car is faster than the other one.”
Mistake: “She is more happier now.”
Correct: “She is happier now.”

3.2. Incorrect Use of “More” and “-er”

Using “more” with one-syllable adjectives or incorrectly adding “-er” to multi-syllable adjectives are other common errors.

Mistake: “This test is more easy than the last one.”
Correct: “This test is easier than the last one.”
Mistake: “The situation is worser than before.”
Correct: “The situation is worse than before.”
Mistake: “That movie was interestinger than I thought.”
Correct: “That movie was more interesting than I thought.”

3.3. Misusing Irregular Forms

Forgetting or misusing the irregular comparative forms can also lead to mistakes.

Mistake: “I did gooder on the test than you.”
Correct: “I did better on the test than you.”
Mistake: “The weather is badder today than yesterday.”
Correct: “The weather is worse today than yesterday.”

3.4. Using “Than” Correctly

The word “than” is essential for making comparisons. It indicates the second item being compared. A common mistake is confusing “than” with “then.”

Mistake: “She is taller then her brother.”
Correct: “She is taller than her brother.”
Mistake: “He arrived earlier, then she did.” (In this case, “then” is correct because it indicates time sequence, not comparison.)
Correct: “He is more experienced than she is.”

3.5. Confusing Comparative and Superlative Forms

It’s important to differentiate between comparative and superlative forms. Comparative forms compare two items, while superlative forms compare three or more.

Mistake: “She is the taller of the two sisters.” (Superlative used incorrectly for two items)
Correct: “She is the taller of the two sisters.”
Mistake: “He is more intelligent than anyone in the class.” (Comparative used when comparing to multiple items)
Correct: “He is the most intelligent in the class.”

3.6. Not Doubling Consonants

Forgetting to double the final consonant in CVC words when adding “-er” can lead to spelling errors.

Mistake: “The tea is hoter than the coffee.”
Correct: “The tea is hotter than the coffee.”
Mistake: “After eating so much, I feel fater.”
Correct: “After eating so much, I feel fatter.”

3.7. Using “Less” and “Fewer” Incorrectly

“Less” is used for uncountable nouns, while “fewer” is used for countable nouns. Mixing them up is a common error.

Mistake: “I have less apples than you.”
Correct: “I have fewer apples than you.”
Mistake: “There are fewer water in the bottle.”
Correct: “There is less water in the bottle.”

3.8. Tips to Avoid Mistakes

Proofread Carefully: Always review your writing to catch any errors.
Understand the Rules: Make sure you know the rules for forming comparative degrees.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
Use Grammar Checkers: Online tools can help identify errors, but always double-check their suggestions.
Consult a Style Guide: Refer to a reliable style guide for clarification.
Listen to Native Speakers: Pay attention to how native speakers use comparative degrees.

4. Practical Applications of Comparative Degrees

Comparative degrees are not just theoretical grammar points; they have numerous practical applications in everyday communication and professional settings. Mastering their use can significantly enhance your clarity and effectiveness in various contexts.

4.1. Everyday Conversations

In everyday conversations, comparative degrees help us express preferences, make comparisons, and describe differences between people, objects, and situations.

Expressing Preferences: “I like coffee more than tea.”
Comparing Attributes: “She is taller than her friend.”
Describing Feelings: “I feel happier today than I did yesterday.”
Making Decisions: “This phone is more expensive, but it’s better.”
Giving Directions: “The library is farther than the post office.”

4.2. Academic Writing

In academic writing, using comparative degrees accurately is crucial for making precise and well-supported comparisons.

Research Papers: “Study A showed stronger results than Study B.”
Essays: “The second chapter is more compelling than the first.”
Comparative Analyses: “While both theories have merit, Theory X is more applicable to this case.”
Literature Reviews: “Recent studies are more comprehensive than earlier ones.”
Theses and Dissertations: “The findings suggest a greater impact than previously thought.”

4.3. Business Communication

In the business world, comparative degrees are used to evaluate performance, compare products, and make strategic decisions.

Marketing: “Our new product is more efficient than the competition.”
Sales: “This package offers better value for money.”
Performance Reviews: “He is more productive this quarter than last quarter.”
Project Management: “The new strategy is more effective at meeting deadlines.”
Negotiations: “We are willing to offer better terms than our initial proposal.”

4.4. Technical Writing

Technical writing requires precision and clarity. Comparative degrees help describe technical specifications and performance metrics.

User Manuals: “The updated software runs faster than the previous version.”
Technical Reports: “The new engine is more fuel-efficient than the old one.”
Specifications: “This component is more durable than the standard model.”
Engineering Documents: “The revised design is more stable under pressure.”
Scientific Papers: “The experimental results were more significant than predicted.”

4.5. Creative Writing

Even in creative writing, comparative degrees can add depth and nuance to descriptions and character development.

Descriptive Passages: “The forest was darker and more mysterious than he remembered.”
Character Development: “She was more confident than she appeared.”
Setting the Tone: “The atmosphere was more ominous than usual.”
Creating Tension: “The stakes were higher than ever before.”
Evoking Emotions: “The memory was more painful than he had anticipated.”

4.6. Journalism

Journalists use comparative degrees to provide context and compare facts, figures, and events.

News Articles: “The unemployment rate is lower this month than last month.”
Investigative Reports: “The company’s profits were higher than reported.”
Editorials: “The new policy is more effective at addressing the issue.”
Comparative Analyses: “The two candidates have stronger platforms on economic issues.”
Reporting on Trends: “Smartphone sales are higher than ever before.”

4.7. Language Learning

For language learners, understanding and using comparative degrees is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy.

Expressing Opinions: “Learning English is easier than learning Mandarin.”
Making Comparisons: “The weather in Spain is warmer than in England.”
Describing Progress: “I am becoming more fluent every day.”
Asking for Clarification: “Is this word more common than that one?”
Improving Writing Skills: “Using comparative degrees makes your writing more engaging.”

4.8. Personal Development

Comparative degrees can even be used in personal development to set goals, track progress, and evaluate personal growth.

Setting Goals: “I want to be healthier this year than last year.”
Tracking Progress: “I am more organized now than I used to be.”
Evaluating Skills: “I am more proficient at coding than I was six months ago.”
Reflecting on Experiences: “This experience was more enriching than I expected.”
Seeking Self-Improvement: “I want to be more patient with my family.”

By understanding and applying comparative degrees in these practical contexts, you can significantly enhance your communication skills and achieve greater clarity and effectiveness in your interactions.

5. How Comparative Degrees Enhance Communication

The use of comparative degrees enriches communication by adding depth, precision, and nuance to our expressions. They allow us to move beyond simple descriptions and provide detailed comparisons that enhance understanding and engagement.

5.1. Providing Clarity

Comparative degrees help clarify the extent to which a quality is present by relating it to another. This is more informative than simply stating that something possesses a certain attribute.

Example:
- Vague: “The book was interesting.”
- Clear: “The book was more interesting than the movie adaptation.”

The second sentence provides a specific point of reference, making it easier to understand the degree of interest.

5.2. Adding Precision

Comparative degrees enable us to be precise when describing differences. Instead of general statements, we can specify the degree to which one thing surpasses another.

Example:
- General: “She is smart.”
- Precise: “She is smarter than most of her classmates.”

The second sentence quantifies her intelligence relative to her peers, making the statement more informative.

5.3. Expressing Nuance

Comparative degrees allow for nuanced expressions by conveying subtle differences in quality. This is particularly useful in situations where subtle distinctions matter.

Example:
- Simple: “He is good at his job.”
- Nuanced: “He is better at his job than anyone else in the department.”

The second sentence suggests he is not just good, but exceptionally skilled compared to his colleagues.

5.4. Making Comparisons Engaging

Comparative degrees make comparisons more engaging by providing relatable points of reference. This helps the audience connect with the message and understand the speaker’s perspective.

Example:
- Bland: “The vacation was enjoyable.”
- Engaging: “The vacation was more relaxing than my usual weekend at home.”

By comparing the vacation to a typical weekend, the speaker provides a frame of reference that makes the experience more relatable.

5.5. Enhancing Persuasion

Comparative degrees can be powerful tools of persuasion by highlighting the advantages of one option over another. This is commonly used in marketing and sales to convince customers of a product’s superiority.

Example:
- Neutral: “Our product is effective.”
- Persuasive: “Our product is more effective than the leading competitor.”

By directly comparing the product to a competitor, the speaker emphasizes its superior performance.

5.6. Improving Descriptions

Comparative degrees can improve the vividness and detail of descriptions by allowing for comparative imagery. This is especially useful in creative writing and storytelling.

Example:
- Basic: “The night was dark.”
- Descriptive: “The night was darker than any he had ever seen.”

The second sentence creates a sense of heightened darkness, making the description more impactful.

5.7. Adding Depth to Analyses

In analytical writing, comparative degrees add depth by enabling detailed comparisons between different elements. This can reveal important insights and support well-reasoned arguments.

Example:
- Simple: “The two theories are similar.”
- In-depth: “While the two theories share some similarities, Theory A is more applicable to real-world scenarios.”

The second sentence provides a deeper analysis by highlighting the practical advantages of one theory over the other.

5.8. Fostering Understanding

By providing context and comparison, comparative degrees foster a deeper understanding of the information being conveyed. This is particularly important in educational and informational contexts.

Example:
- Basic: “This concept is difficult.”
- Understanding: “This concept is more difficult than the previous one, so it requires extra attention.”

By acknowledging the comparative difficulty, the speaker prepares the audience for the increased challenge.

In summary, comparative degrees are essential tools for effective communication. They enhance clarity, add precision, express nuance, engage the audience, improve descriptions, and foster understanding. Mastering their use can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts.

6. Comparative vs. Superlative Degrees

Understanding the difference between comparative and superlative degrees is crucial for using adjectives and adverbs correctly. While both are used to describe the degree of a quality, they serve distinct purposes in comparing items.

6.1. Comparative Degree

The comparative degree is used to compare two items. It indicates which of the two has a higher degree of a particular quality.

Formation: Typically formed by adding “-er” to the adjective/adverb or using “more” before it.
Usage: Used to show differences between two things.
Keywords: Often followed by the word “than.”
Examples:
- “John is taller than his brother.”
- “This car is more expensive than the other one.”
- “She runs faster than I do.”
- “The movie was more interesting than the book.”

6.2. Superlative Degree

The superlative degree is used to compare three or more items. It indicates which item has the highest degree of a particular quality.

Formation: Typically formed by adding “-est” to the adjective/adverb or using “most” before it.
Usage: Used to show which item is at the extreme end of a spectrum.
Keywords: Often preceded by the word “the.”
Examples:
- “She is the tallest student in the class.”
- “This is the most expensive car in the showroom.”
- “He runs the fastest of all the athletes.”
- “That was the most interesting movie I have ever seen.”

6.3. Key Differences Summarized

Feature	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
Number of Items	Compares two items	Compares three or more items
Formation	“-er” or “more”	“-est” or “most”
Usage	Shows differences between two items	Shows the highest degree of a quality
Keywords	“than”	“the”

6.4. Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using the superlative form when comparing only two items, or vice versa.

Incorrect: “She is the tallest of the two sisters.”
Correct: “She is the taller of the two sisters.”
Incorrect: “He is more intelligent than anyone in the class.”
Correct: “He is the most intelligent in the class.”

6.5. When to Use Each

Use Comparative when:
- You are comparing two specific items.
- You want to show how one item is different from the other.
Use Superlative when:
- You are comparing one item to a group of three or more.
- You want to highlight the item that has the highest degree of a quality.

6.6. Examples Illustrating the Difference

Comparative: “This book is more interesting than that one.” (Comparing two books)
Superlative: “This book is the most interesting book I have ever read.” (Comparing the book to all books the person has read)
Comparative: “He is faster than his teammate.” (Comparing two athletes)
Superlative: “He is the fastest runner on the team.” (Comparing him to all team members)
Comparative: “The red car is more expensive than the blue car.” (Comparing two cars)
Superlative: “The red car is the most expensive car in the dealership.” (Comparing the car to all cars in the dealership)

By understanding the distinct roles of comparative and superlative degrees, you can express comparisons accurately and effectively, enhancing the clarity and precision of your communication.

7. Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of comparative degrees, here are some practice exercises. These exercises will help you identify and use comparative forms correctly in various contexts.

7.1. Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using the comparative form of the adjective or adverb in parentheses.

The weather today is ___ (good) than yesterday.
She is ___ (tall) than her brother.
This book is ___ (interesting) than the last one I read.
He runs ___ (fast) than his friend.
The new car is ___ (expensive) than the old one.
I feel ___ (happy) now than I did before.
Learning English is ___ (easy) than learning Chinese.
The city is ___ (busy) during the day than at night.
This test is ___ (difficult) than I expected.
She speaks English ___ (fluent) than I do.

7.2. Choose the Correct Form

Select the correct comparative form from the options provided.

Which is ___, the red car or the blue car? (expensive / more expensive)
She is ___ than her sister. (older / elder)
This movie is ___ than the one we saw last week. (interesting / more interesting)
He runs ___ than anyone else in our group. (fast / faster)
The coffee is ___ today. (bitter / more bitter)
I find math ___ than science. (difficult / more difficult)
The new restaurant is ___ than the old one. (popular / more popular)
She sings ___ than her friend. (good / better)
The weather is ___ today than it was yesterday. (warm / warmer)
He drives ___ than he used to. (careful / more careful)

7.3. Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using the comparative degree.

My house is big, but yours is bigger. (Use “than”)
This book is interesting. The movie is also interesting, but it captivates more. (Use “than”)
She is tall, but her brother is taller. (Use “than”)
I run fast, but she runs faster. (Use “than”)
The old car was expensive. The new car costs even more. (Use “than”)
I was happy before, but now I am happier. (Use “than”)
English is easy. Chinese is not as easy. (Use “than”)
The city is busy during the day. It is less busy at night. (Use “than”)
This test is difficult. I expected an easier test. (Use “than”)
She speaks English fluently. I don’t speak English that well. (Use “than”)

7.4. Identify the Errors

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

This car is more faster than the other one.
She is the tallest of the two sisters.
He did gooder on the test than you.
The weather is badder today than yesterday.
I have less apples than you.
She is more happier now.
That movie was interestinger than I thought.
The tea is hoter than the coffee.
This test is more easy than the last one.
He is more intelligent than anyone in the class.

7.5. Creative Writing

Write five sentences using comparative degrees to describe differences between:

Two cities
Two books
Two friends
Two types of food
Two modes of transportation

7.6. Answer Key

7.1. Fill in the Blanks

better
taller
more interesting
faster
more expensive
happier
easier
busier
more difficult
more fluently

7.2. Choose the Correct Form

more expensive
older
more interesting
faster
more bitter
more difficult
more popular
better
warmer
more carefully

7.3. Rewrite the Sentences

My house is smaller than yours.
The movie is more interesting than the book.
She is shorter than her brother.
I run slower than she does.
The old car was less expensive than the new car.
I was less happy than I am now.
Chinese is more difficult than English.
The city is busier during the day than at night.
This test is more difficult than I expected.
I speak English less fluently than she does.

7.4. Identify the Errors

Incorrect: This car is more faster than the other one. Correct: This car is faster than the other one.
Incorrect: She is the tallest of the two sisters. Correct: She is the taller of the two sisters.
Incorrect: He did gooder on the test than you. Correct: He did better on the test than you.
Incorrect: The weather is badder today than yesterday. Correct: The weather is worse today than yesterday.
Incorrect: I have less apples than you. Correct: I have fewer apples than you.
Incorrect: She is more happier now. Correct: She is happier now.
Incorrect: That movie was interestinger than I thought. Correct: That movie was more interesting than I thought.
Incorrect: The tea is hoter than the coffee. Correct: The tea is hotter than the coffee.
Incorrect: This test is more easy than the last one. Correct: This test is easier than the last one.
Incorrect: He is more intelligent than anyone in the class. Correct: He is more intelligent than anyone else in the class.

7.5. Creative Writing (Example Answers)

New York City is busier than Los Angeles.
“Pride and Prejudice” is more romantic than “1984.”
John is more outgoing than his friend, Michael.
Pizza is more satisfying than salad.
Traveling by plane is faster than traveling by train.

By completing these practice exercises, you will gain confidence in your ability to use comparative degrees correctly and effectively.

8. Advanced Usage and Nuances

Mastering comparative degrees involves understanding not only the basic rules but also the more advanced nuances and subtleties that can enhance your communication. Here are some advanced usage tips and considerations:

8.1. Using “Less” and “Fewer” Correctly

The words “less” and “fewer” are both used to indicate a smaller quantity, but they are not interchangeable.

Fewer: Used with countable nouns (things you can count).
- Example: “I have fewer apples than you.” (Apples are countable)
Less: Used with uncountable nouns (things you cannot count).
- Example: “I have less water than you.” (Water is uncountable)
Common Mistakes:
- Incorrect: “I have less apples than you.”
- Correct: “I have fewer apples than you.”
- Incorrect: “There are fewer water in the bottle.”
- Correct: “There is less water in the bottle.”

8.2. Using “Elder” and “Older”

The adjectives “elder” and “older” both refer to age, but they are used in different contexts.

Older: Used to compare the age of people or things in general.
- Example: “My brother is older than me.”
- Example: “This building is older than that one.”
Elder: Typically used to refer to family relationships or in formal contexts.
- Example: “He is my elder brother.” (More formal)
- Example: “The elder members of the community.”
Common Mistakes:
- Incorrect: “He