Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Teo]

1. He is much the tallest student in the class.

2. He is the very tallest student in the class.

What's the difference in meaning between the above two sentences?
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Thank you very much for your reply.

[Mister Micawber]

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The first sentence indicates that there is a big difference in height between him and the second-tallest student.

The second sentence simply says that he is the tallest of all-- no indication of height differentials.
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"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[Teo]

2. He is the very tallest student in the class.

3. He is the tallest student in the class.

What's the difference in meaning between the above two sentences?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Mister Micawber]

.
#2 is for emphasis.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[Teo]

2. He is the very tallest student in the class.

5. She is the very most beautiful girl in the class.

#2 is correct. Is #5 also acceptable?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Mister Micawber]

.
#5 sounds like child-talk to me, Teo.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's