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Tydexwang Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Dearest

I have only one wife. Is it logically OK to address my wife 'My dearest wife'? To me, 'My dearest wife' sounds like I have more than one wife.
  

Top answer

It's OK to use even if you have only one wife; "dearest" here just means "very dear". Similarly, you can say "My dearest Mary", "My dearest sweetheart", and so forth, even though there is only one candidate. " wording feels rather formal and literary.

— Mr Wordy

  • It's OK to use even if you have only one wife; "dearest" here just means "very dear".
  • Similarly, you can say "My dearest Mary", "My dearest sweetheart", and so forth, even though there is only one candidate.
  • " wording feels rather formal and literary.
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3 Answers
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It's OK to use even if you have only one wife; "dearest" here just means "very dear". Similarly, you can say "My dearest Mary", "My dearest sweetheart", and so forth, even though there is only one candidate. To me, the "My dearest..." wording feels rather formal and literary.
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Thank you for your reply, Mr. Wordy. How about "My best wife" and "My sweetest wife"? Do they sound OK?
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tydexwang
Thank you for your reply, Mr. Wordy. How about "My best wife" and "My sweetest wife"? Do they sound OK?


"My best wife" doesn't sound right to me.

"My sweetest wife" is possible.

Context is quite important when judging the suitability of these expressions. "My sweetest wife" might be OK in a romantic card on your
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