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Jeff_999 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
A + superlative + noun ?
As far as I know, superlative can only work with the definite article.
But when this Error Correction qestion comes up, I kinda lose my judgement.
'(A most) useful tool (for analyzing) the elemental (composition of fossils) is the electron probe, a (modify) electron microscope. '
You see, if I choose choice A, what about D?
But when this Error Correction qestion comes up, I kinda lose my judgement.
'(A most) useful tool (for analyzing) the elemental (composition of fossils) is the electron probe, a (modify) electron microscope. '
You see, if I choose choice A, what about D?
Top answer
The superlative can be used with the indefinite article "a": A most useful tool for analyzing the elemental composition of fossils is the electron probe, a modified electron microscope. What this implies is that there are a number of very useful tools of which the electron probe is one. One cannot say which is the most useful; they are all useful in about the same degree.
- The superlative can be used with the indefinite article "a": A most useful tool for analyzing the elemental composition of fossils is the electron probe, a modified electron microscope.
- What this implies is that there are a number of very useful tools of which the electron probe is one.
- One cannot say which is the most useful; they are all useful in about the same degree.
- Therefore "a" is used instead of "the".
- Although using "a" with a superlative is not ungrammatical, it isn't (in my opinion) good writing style.
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10 Answers
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The superlative can be used with the indefinite article "a":
A most useful tool for analyzing the elemental composition of fossils is the electron probe, a modified electron microscope.
What this implies is that there are a number of very useful tools of which the electron probe is one. One cannot say which is the most useful; they are all useful in about the same degree. Ther
A most useful tool for analyzing the elemental composition of fossils is the electron probe, a modified electron microscope.
What this implies is that there are a number of very useful tools of which the electron probe is one. One cannot say which is the most useful; they are all useful in about the same degree. Ther
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Hi Dave
Do you mean we had better say "one of the most useful tools"?
paco
Although using "a" with a superlative is not ungrammatical, it isn't (in my opinion) good writing style.
Do you mean we had better say "one of the most useful tools"?
paco
00
As far as I know, superlative can only work with the definite article.
But when this Error Correction question comes up, I kinda lose my judgement.
'(A most) useful tool (for analyzing) the elemental (composition of fossils) is the electron probe, a (modify) electron microscope. '
You see, if I choose choice A, what about D?
>>>>>>>>
But when this Error Correction question comes up, I kinda lose my judgement.
'(A most) useful tool (for analyzing) the elemental (composition of fossils) is the electron probe, a (modify) electron microscope. '
You see, if I choose choice A, what about D?
>>>>>>>>
00
This is not a superlative construction. It is an intensifier. It carries virtually the same meaning as . The mistake is in D; it needs the adjective form , NOT the verb form .
Thank you all. I think this one is better for me to understand.
By the way, can most work with perfect ? For example,
'the most beautiful, most perfect gir
00
It seems to me that I have heard this called an "absolute superlative" (as opposed to a "relative superlative", in which there is truly a comparison). Other authors insist that there is no absolute superlative in English because English has no special grammatical inflection to distinguish it from the relative superlative.
CJ
CJ
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By the way, can most work with perfect ? For example,
'the most beautiful, most perfect girl' .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Now you just superlativized it, Jeff.
'the most beautiful, most perfect girl' .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Now you just superlativized it, Jeff.
00
I suggest that "most" is not being used as a traditional superlative in this sentence, and is being used as an adverb which really means "very" or "extremely" instead. Words can belong to more than one word class in different situations, and this seems like an example of the lexical item "most" having more than one meaning.
00
It seems to me that I have heard this called an "absolute superlative" (as opposed to a "relative superlative", in which there is truly a comparison).
Absolute superlative? Relative superlative? You mean, 'pefect' is already superlative. Then if you add 'most' before it, it become 'absolute superlative'?
umm..Better not kow them.
00
The ... probe is a most useful tool. - absolute superlative - no comparison here
The ... probe is the most useful tool of all the tools I have ever used. - relative superlative - comparison (with "all the tools ...").
It has nothing to do with the word "perfect".
CJ
The ... probe is the most useful tool of all the tools I have ever used. - relative superlative - comparison (with "all the tools ...").
It has nothing to do with the word "perfect".
CJ
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Hi CJ,
First, I don't think english has an absolute or relative superlative, it just has a superlative which comes with the definite article often (or even always) but NEVER with the indefinite article.
Now if you were right with this:
#1) The ... probe is a most useful tool. - absolute superlative - no comparison here
#2) The ... probe is the most useful tool o
First, I don't think english has an absolute or relative superlative, it just has a superlative which comes with the definite article often (or even always) but NEVER with the indefinite article.
Now if you were right with this:
#1) The ... probe is a most useful tool. - absolute superlative - no comparison here
#2) The ... probe is the most useful tool o
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