Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[b7lake]

#1- (1)I had a most extraordinary thing happen to me yesterday.
(2)I had the most extraordinay thing happento me yesterday.
Do both sentences have the same meaning?


#2- (1)It was best to get things done quickly.
(2)It was the best to get things done quickly.
Do both sentences have the same meaning?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[2006]

#1 Practically speaking they have the same meaning, which is that a very very extraordinary thing happened to me yesterday. However, strictly speaking there can be only one "the most extraordinary thing", but there can be more than one "a most extraordinary thing". So if you want to be very strict about it, you can say they are different.


#2...(1) means that the best course of action was to get things done quickly. (2) is not a good sentence because its meaning is not clear; therefore, I wouldn't use it.
Some people may think it means the same as (1), but others may think it means 'It was the best way to get things done quickly'.