For comparisons that are negative or downward, ‘less’ and ‘least’ are used before the positive form of the modifier. To make your writing clear and concise, be careful to avoid using two modifiers ...

Superlative close superlativeA word that describes the most of something, for example the biggest, the strongest, the fastest. adjectives are used to compare things and say which one is the biggest, ...

If you have two children, ages 10 and 12, is the 12-year-old the oldest? Or is she the older? Can you say she’s your eldest child? Or must you say she’s the elder child? The answer, believe it or not, ...