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Grammar books routinely insist on "the most" as for all superlatives, but I can recall certain cases where 'most' has not been used as 'the superlative' but only as 'a superlative!'

(as in)

Mr. Simpson said, "this is a most irregular way of writing this sentence."

He is a most brilliant exponent of the bamboo flute.

But for her extreme lack of discipline, she is a most likeable woman.

(tangential musing: how important is a comma, or its omission! Pl. compare these two constructions --

"but for her extreme lack of discipline, she is a most likeable woman"

"but, for her extreme lack of discipline, she is a most likeable woman.")

Added after 15 minutes by edit:

I also recall seeing least and other superlatives being used similarly, as in

She racked her mind for a least offensive word to describe his vile deeds to his children.

They looked for an easiest and simplest way to convince the old person.

Smoking was banned at the Simpsons' -- they considered it a worst offence.

Grammatical giants at EL & U! Do you consider such cases odd usage? (or even downright wrong, I shouldn't be surprised!)

English Student
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  • “but for her” means “except for her” or “apart from her” no comma should be used. – Jim Apr 23 '17 at 22:52
  • Two famous comma-significant examples: A woman without her man is nothing and Lynne Truss's Eats shoots and leaves (http://theliterarylink.com/punc.html) – Ronald Sole Apr 23 '17 at 22:52
  • It’s not wrong. It may be a bit dated- This would be a typical idiom in conversation from a Jane Austin novel for example. – Jim Apr 23 '17 at 23:02
  • Now you’ve edited it and muddied the waters. – Jim Apr 23 '17 at 23:03
  • Very true -- the misplaced comma can change the whole meaning and even cause unintended offense in certain cases! – English Student Apr 23 '17 at 23:03
  • I have muddied the waters because dated but idiomatically sanctioned styles are not the only conditions where 'a' has been used with superlatives -- I would like to know whether such constructions can pass modern scrutiny in a variety of contexts. – English Student Apr 23 '17 at 23:05
  • Thanks to Mahmud Koya for formatting my question to highlight the examples. How can I do this myself? – English Student Apr 23 '17 at 23:13
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    The examples with most aren’t superlatives—they’re adjectives in the positive degree modified by the adverb most, which in this context means ‘very’. All the other examples are completely ungrammatical to me. The superlative cannot be indefinite; it is by definition definite. – Janus Bahs Jacquet Apr 23 '17 at 23:22
  • By the same logic, do you think least could also pass grammatical muster along with 'most' as in it is a least inspiring personality trait (where 'least inspiring' can be read as 'most uninspiring') and in what way could I give her a least discouraging reply? – English Student Apr 23 '17 at 23:31
  • ... Have you checked in a dictionary listing the intensifier usage of 'most' to see if it gives a corresponding usage for 'least'? Does 'I was feeling least peculiar' sound correct? – Edwin Ashworth Apr 23 '17 at 23:51
  • Thank you for directing me to the earlier question, which has some illuminating answers and comments. – English Student Apr 24 '17 at 00:02
  • You are right: 'least' certainly sounds more awkward than 'most' when used in this manner! – English Student Apr 24 '17 at 00:03
  • 1948 song: "It's a Most Unusual Day" – Xanne Apr 24 '17 at 09:51
  • The rule allowing 'a most' as modifier is now clear, but I cannot find any rule guidance regarding the use of 'a least' the same way as modifier. However it's logical to think that 'least' may also be used like 'most' -- it's time for someone to drag out an obscure and magical ruling for or against this admittedly odd usage! – English Student Apr 24 '17 at 12:22

1 Answers1

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The definite article the is used with superlative adjectives when a comparison takes place involving three or more persons or objects. In all other cases the superlative form most can act as a normal adjective, adverb, determiner, noun, pronoun etc. and can take a/an, the or no article as per the context.

Superlative adjectives

Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects.

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).

The group that is being compared with can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example below). Examples

My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.

This is the smallest box I've ever seen.

Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.

We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)

Most: (thefreedictionary.com)

Adj - Greatest in number: won the most votes

In the greatest number of instances: Most fish have fins.

Noun - The greatest amount or degree: She has the most to gain.

Pronoun - (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The greatest part or number: Most of the town was destroyed. Most of the books were missing.

Adv - 1. In or to the highest degree or extent. Used with many adjectives and adverbs to form the superlative degree: most honest; most impatiently.

  1. Very: a most impressive piece of writing.

  2. Informal Almost: Most everyone agrees.

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mahmud k pukayoor
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