Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone!

Can you look at the pairs below?

A: This lake is deepest here.
B: This lake is the deepest here.

A: George Foreman was strongest when he was in his late twenties.
B: George Foreman was the strongest when he was in his late twenties.

Many grammar books say A is correct in each pair because the comparison is not among different lakes or people, and therefore "the" is not necessary.

DO you think this rule is strictly observed and native speakers never put "the" before adjectives like B?

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh

[CP]

I do think that native speakers would not put "the" in these types of sentences. The reason given in your grammar books sound reasonable; I've never thought about it that way, but that's probably right.

Your examples are good ones to illustrate the point.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, CP

Thanks a lot. My guess was that "the" in the pairs could be optional because some grammar rules aren't strictly observed by native speakers of English.

I really appreciate your comment.

yoshi-pooh

[LucentShade]