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Believer Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

a least vs. the least

Hi,

1. What is the difference? Can the adjective 'list' be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?

It has a least buying capacity.

It has the least buying capacity.

Are 'least' and 'most' opposites?

2. Sorry this just came up. Which one is correct?

Do you want both red and blue pencils?

Do you want both a red and blue pencil?

I think the first one is correct but can the second one be correct?
  

Top answer

though I don't know what it means. Least and most are usually opposites. Both of #2 seem fine.

  • though I don't know what it means.
  • Least and most are usually opposites.
  • Both of #2 seem fine.
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6 Answers
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Only 'the' seems possible in #1...though I don't know what it means. Least and most are usually opposites.

Both of #2 seem fine.
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what about..

both a red and a blue one...why is it incorrect?
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both a red and a blue one -- This is fine too.
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Thank you, Mr. M.

I was trying to use the word 'power' instead of the word 'capacity' but wasn't sure of the use of 'least' with it. The word 'power' seems to be uncountable, while 'least' being an adjective. Are they compatible? I think they are compatible with each other, but the article 'the' is necessary though.

It has the least buying power.

Sorry, I was di
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Do you want both red and blue pencils?

This means you might want lots of pencils, all of which are red or blue.

Do you want both a red and blue pencil?
This means you might want two pencils, one red, one blue.

A least important person

This does not seem right, the same way "a m

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