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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Superlatives without the
Superlatives without the
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baiba
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Superlatives without the
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Good evening / morning / day,
I was taught that we always use the with superlative adjectives but recently I got confused because I saw a superlative without the article.
This is something I �ve missed in my grammar studies... :))
What are you going to use in these sentences?
X ran the race ........ (fast). Will you say the fastest or fastest?
W speaks ........ (clearly) of all. the most clearly? most clearly?
Is there a rule that we don �t use the with superlative adverbs?
I�d appreciate any help.
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5 Oct 2010
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yanogator
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In written English, we definitely use "the" with superlatives. Some people omit it in very casual spoken language, but it isn �t very common, in my experience.
Bruce |
5 Oct 2010
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kodora
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We can use most+ adjective without the.In this case most means very.
eg.You are most kind.
It is mainly used with adjectives of two or more syllables: annoying, apologetic, exciting, encouraging, helpful, important etc.
Dora
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5 Oct 2010
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franknbea
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Hi Baiba,
I would use �the � in both of the examples you used. I agree with Bruce in this case. |
5 Oct 2010
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baiba
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Many thanks Bruce, Dora and Frank!! If you say use the article!, I �ll do it!
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5 Oct 2010
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wafakharrat
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hi Baiba I have just taught my students The Comparative and The Superlative forms and I �m sure that THE is necessary in the Superlative form with short adjectives composed of one or two syllables but I also agree with Bruce that it may be ommitted in casual spoken language...
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5 Oct 2010
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korodi4
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Hi Baiba,
Maybe, this short explanation from onestopenglish.com will help you.
Although the usually occurs before a superlative, it is sometimes left out in informal speech or writing, e.g.:
This one seems to be cheapest.
However the cannot be left out when the superlative is followed by an of/in phrase, or a relative clause indicating the group of people or things being compared, e.g.:
This one is the cheapest.
This one is the cheapest of the new designs.
* This one is cheapest of the new designs.
This one is the cheapest I could find.
*This one is cheapest I could find.
Sometimes possessive pronouns are used instead of the before a superlative, e.g.:
her most valuable piece of jewellery
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5 Oct 2010
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baiba
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Thanks wafa and korodi for your "input"!
I have been browsing the net for this topic tonight and I have found out that superlatives (both adjectives and adverbs) without the can be used but only in informal language.
That will do for me!
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5 Oct 2010
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