Older vs. Elder

[Enlearnercn]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #87 "Common English Errors (3)", question 1

......... people like this area a lot.

(a) Elder
(b) Older
(c) The old
(d) More elder

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #87 "Common English Errors (3)", answer 1

Older people like this area a lot.

Correct answer: (b) Older

Your answer was: incorrect
Elder people like this area a lot.
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Dear Sir,

why using Elder is wrong?

Thanks in advance

Enlearnercn

[Linda]

Hello,
People don't normally use 'elder' unless they're talking about close relatives/family members. For example, 'my elder sister.' 'Elder' is used in front of a noun like that.
'Older' is an adjective and is more of a comparison - in that something or someone is older than something or someone else.
I hope that helps.
Linda
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[Merocasa]

thank you so mcuh for help

[Kitosdad]

To fit within the context of the question, "elder" would have had to have been " elderly " people.
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Aliraf62]

Hi

Does 'The older people' suit in this test too if we are talking about, let's say, a specific park for example:

The older people like this area a lot.

Thanks
Ali

[Olgavic]

Hello! I have the same question. Why can not we use " The older people...." in this case?

[Linda]

You can use the article "the" when the older people are known to you and the listener or when you're talking about only one of something (eg. the world, the earth).
For example, the older people in this area like this park a lot.
However, if you are speaking about a general situation, you shouldn't use an article ('the', in this case).

You can also use the article "the" when an idea etc. is already introduced.
For example:
I have a dog and a bird. The dog is four-years-old and the bird is two-years-old.
This is another instance where you could use 'the.'
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[Olgavic]

Thank for your explanation. It is always complicated for me when must I use or must not use "the".

[Hariom4me]

Can it be :
Old people like this area a lot ?

If no then why not?

Thanks.

[Beeesneees]

It can, however it is not an option in this test.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Mordant]

Hariom, "old" is considered less diplomatic than "older." I would say "senior" is considered more diplomatic than "older." Also, "elder" is applied to people of considerable status in an organization, church, etc.

[Hariom4me]

I get it...I have to take the union of these two messages :)

@Linda: People don't normally use 'elder' unless they're talking about close relatives/family members. For example, 'my elder sister.'

@Mordant: "elder" is applied to people of considerable status in an organization, church, etc.