Teo Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
(the) + superlative
I'm the greatest.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentence?
Thank you very much for your reply.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentence?
Thank you very much for your reply.
Top answer
No, definitely not.
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1. I'm the greatest.
2. Which of the boys is the strongest?
3. This dictionary is the best.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?
Thank you very much for your reply.
2. Which of the boys is the strongest?
3. This dictionary is the best.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?
Thank you very much for your reply.
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1. I'm the greatest.
2. Which of the boys is the strongest?
3. This dictionary is the best.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?
Thank you very much for your reply.
2. Which of the boys is the strongest?
3. This dictionary is the best.
Can we drop the difinite article in the above sentences?
Thank you very much for your reply.
00
It sounds a bit abrupt in the first sentence, but I can easily imagine the other two sentences being used without the definite article without causing any commotion.
CJ
CJ
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?p=48469#48469
For me, "the" is needed for all three in the current state. If the sentence were to continue with a trait, it is technically OK. Howe
For me, "the" is needed for all three in the current state. If the sentence were to continue with a trait, it is technically OK. Howe
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I agree with CJ.
In BrE at least, it's perfectly acceptable to omit "the" when the superlative is predicative, e.g.
1. Which is (the) easiest?
2. I like this one. And I like this one too. But this one's (the) best.
3. A is convincing. And B is quite sensible. But C seems most likely.
Though I'm sorry to have to disagree with those chaps on those other
In BrE at least, it's perfectly acceptable to omit "the" when the superlative is predicative, e.g.
1. Which is (the) easiest?
2. I like this one. And I like this one too. But this one's (the) best.
3. A is convincing. And B is quite sensible. But C seems most likely.
Though I'm sorry to have to disagree with those chaps on those other
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#1 - I am greatest at guessing people's ages. (Sounds arrogant though with all due respect to M. Ali.)
What does "with all due respect to M. Ali" mean?
Thank you very much for your reply,
What does "with all due respect to M. Ali" mean?
Thank you very much for your reply,
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Hello Teo
The boxer Muhammad Ali had several catchphrases, one of which was "I am the greatest!"
The speaker in your question means that "I am (the) greatest" sounds arrogant; he then "remembers" that M. Ali used to use the phrase, and shows due deference by adding "with all due respect to M. Ali" – in other words, "I don't of course mean to imply that M. Ali was arrogant!"
The boxer Muhammad Ali had several catchphrases, one of which was "I am the greatest!"
The speaker in your question means that "I am (the) greatest" sounds arrogant; he then "remembers" that M. Ali used to use the phrase, and shows due deference by adding "with all due respect to M. Ali" – in other words, "I don't of course mean to imply that M. Ali was arrogant!"
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