1

Which one of the following sentences is the most canonical?

I know most vs. the most has been explained a lot, but my doubts pertain specifically to which one to use at the end of a sentence.

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vs

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EDIT: This question doesn't solve my doubts because it is not about using "most" and "the most" specifically as an adverb at the end of a sentence.

Tulains Córdova
  • 1,360

2 Answers2

2

Search at Google Books, adding an "and" that is very similar to a sentence end in its effect (i.e., you can consider "and" as starting a new sentence):

"helped you most and" About 430 results

"helped you the most and" About 104 results

Both are pretty well represented, thus considered correct by various authors and their editors. Based on frequency, one should select the first, but I prefer the 2nd as it avoids the feeling of clipping.

Marius Hancu
  • 7,714
2

Most

We use the quantifier most to talk about quantities, amounts and degree. We can use it with a noun (as a determiner) or without a noun (as a pronoun). We can also use it with adjectives and adverbs to form the superlative.

The most is the superlative form of many, much.

We use the most to make the superlative forms of longer adjectives and the majority of adverbs:

  • They’re using the most advanced technology in the world. (+ adjective)
  • Scafell Pike is the most easily identifiable peak in the Lake District. (+ adverb)

The most with a noun.

We use the most with a noun to mean ‘more/less than all of the others’:

  • Ian earns the most money in our family.

The most with a verb.

We use the most with a verb as an adverb:

  • They all cried, but Claire cried the most.

(Cambridge dictionary)

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Misti
  • 13,774
  • So in the examples I gave the correct use is the second one since it's used as an adverb to the verb help. Am I right? – Tulains Córdova Apr 09 '15 at 16:00
  • In the link to [the] least from your link, one finds: << We use least and the least with a verb as an adverb:

    None of them worked much, but Karen worked the least. >> It's surprising that CDO don't also give the alternative most alongside the most. As Marius's results show, it's not uncommon. I'm quite familiar with it. 'I like soccer most' is quite acceptable and appears on the internet. 'I like soccer most of all' is quite common.

     – Edwin Ashworth Apr 09 '15 at 18:45