Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[someday]

Dear Grammarians,

I have a question about when you can leave out the definite article "the" in a superlative. For example, which one is more correct or common, I hate/like him the most or I hate/like him most.

Another examples that I found is "Which vehicle is most often stolen in your state?" My swimming is the thing I most want to improve.
How come the definite article "the" is left out here in each sentence?

Please look at other examples where "the" is left out.
1. "Cultural change is best explained by the immigration population."
2. Jessica Alba admits that she�s happiest when looking after people."

It looks like there are several exceptions where "the" can be left out so only "most" or "-est" can be used in superlatives. Could somebody explain the reason(s) or introduce any good Web site that has good information about this. I searched on the Internet for the related information, but I couldn't find any good one. Thanks. _()_

[myprofe]

If there is no noun or defining phrase after the superlative then the article is usually left out.

I was happiest when school was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
I was the happiest person in town when school was cancelled due to a snowstorm.

Phrasal verbs are most difficult.
Phrasal verbs are the most difficult verbs to learn.

False friends are most dangerous.
False friends are the most dangerous words.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[someday]

Thank you for your kind reply, myprofe. Your examples happened to have only adjectives. What about the superlative forms of adverbs like the following cases below that I had mentioned. They don't modify nouns; Is there any other way you could explain this too?

If you don't mind, I have one more question: Is leaving out the article optional in these kinds of cases? In other words, adding "the" is just a matter of your taste or omitting the article is a common practice everyone does. What if I add "the" for each case above or below? Would I sound a little awkward?

Thanks again. _()_


I hate/like him the most or I hate/like him most.

"Which vehicle is most often stolen in your state?" My swimming is the thing I most want to improve.

"Cultural change is best explained by the immigration population."

[myprofe]

OK. I tend to oversimplify.

I like him the most or I like him most.
Both are correct. When the superlative adjective is in the predicative position it is sometimes omitted in informal style.

Which vehicle is most often stolen in your state? Which vehicle is stolen in your state most often?
When most is used as an adverb the article is often omitted.

My swimming is the thing I most want to improve.
In this sentence "most" seems to be acting like an adjective so there's no article.

My swimming is the thing I want most to improve.
As an adverb it's optional.

My swimming is the thing I want to improve most.
As an adverb it's optional.

Cultural change is best explained by the immigration population.
Correct. You can't use the article here unless you change the sentence to something like: The increase in immigration is the best way to explain the cultural change.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[buddhaheart]

[myprofe]

Yes, you're right.

When the superlative adjective/adverb is in the predicative position it is sometimes omitted in informal style.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!