Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

(the) + superlative

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Teo



Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 193
Location: Taiwan
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:21 am    Post subject: (the) + superlative Reply with quote
1. I'm the greatest.

2. Which of the boys is the strongest?

3. This dictionary is the best.

Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?

Thank you very much for your reply.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Kristea



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:23 pm    Post subject: Re: (the) + superlative Reply with quote
Teo wrote:
1. I'm the greatest.

2. Which of the boys is the strongest?

3. This dictionary is the best.

Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?

Thank you very much for your reply.


For me, "the" is needed for all three in the current state. If the sentence were to continue with a trait, it is technically OK. However, to my ear "the" is still needed.

For example...

#1 - I am greatest at guessing people's ages. (Sounds arrogant though with all due respect to M. Ali.)
#2 - Which of the boys is strongest at swimming?
#3 - This disctionary is best at suppling diagrams of difficult words.

Hope that helps - Kristi
_________________
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Teo



Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 193
Location: Taiwan
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:20 pm    Post subject: Re: (the) + superlative Reply with quote
Kristea wrote:
Teo wrote:
1. I'm the greatest.

2. Which of the boys is the strongest?

3. This dictionary is the best.

Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?

Thank you very much for your reply.


For me, "the" is needed for all three in the current state. If the sentence were to continue with a trait, it is technically OK. However, to my ear "the" is still needed.

For example...

#1 - I am greatest at guessing people's ages. (Sounds arrogant though with all due respect to M. Ali.)
#2 - Which of the boys is strongest at swimming?
#3 - This disctionary is best at suppling diagrams of difficult words.

Hope that helps - Kristi

Excuse me, but who is M. Ali?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Hayde



Joined: 23 Oct 2005
Posts: 177
Location: Icheon, Korea
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I am thinking it is Mohammed Ali (the boxer). Sure sounds like him.
_________________
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Teo



Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 193
Location: Taiwan
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:52 pm    Post subject: with all due respect to M. Ali Reply with quote
#1 - I am greatest at guessing people's ages. (Sounds arrogant though with all due respect to M. Ali.)
What does "with all due respect to M. Ali" mean?
Thank you very much for your reply,
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Teo



Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 193
Location: Taiwan
PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheSuperlative/2/bqkjl/Post.htm#165183
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Kristea



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sorry for the confusion. By M. Ali I did mean Mohammed Ali the boxer.

"With all due respect" is a less than respectful way of recognizing a person's different opinion before stating your own. Does that make sense?

Hope this helps - Kristi
_________________
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Kristea



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Teo -

I have now read your link from your previous posting. I don't agree with what that answer, for what it is worth. It (with all due respect) is a loaded comment.

You have me thinking...which is good.

- Kristi
_________________
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group