Use old for age or a long-standing connection.
The idea
Place old before a noun or after be. An old friend can mean a friend you have known for a long time.
Examples
- An old tree stands here.
- My coat is old.
- This bridge is very old.
- We visit an old friend.
- How old is your dog?
- That old song is familiar.
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Watch out
An old friend is not necessarily an elderly friend; context tells you which meaning fits.
Try it yourself
Choose the word for age. The clock is ___. (old / young)
Show answer or example answer
old
old: describes the clock without a comparison.
Complete the question about age. How ___ is your cat? (old / long)
Show answer or example answer
old
old: asks about age, not size.
Choose the word for a long-standing friend. We meet an ___ friend from school. (old / long)
Show answer or example answer
old
old: describes a long-standing friendship.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the word for age. The clock is ___. (old / young)
Complete the question about age. How ___ is your cat? (old / long)
Choose the word for a long-standing friend. We meet an ___ friend from school. (old / long)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an old object and a friend you have known for a long time.