Most dependable or least dependable

Question

Hi. Is the phrase "most dependable" a superlative, meaning something it is more dependable than any other occasion when given enough to eat, and the phrase "least dependable" also a superlative, meaning it is less dependable than any other occasion when deprived of more than a meal? I think the example sentences might not be good ones for the question above, but I wish for your help.

It is most dependable when it is given enough things to eat.
It is least dependable when it is deprived of more than a meal.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous[Is] the phrase "least dependable" also a superlative ...?

Yes. There are superlatives of superiority (most) and superlatives of inferiority (least). It is usually unnecessary to say "superlative of superiority" as this is the type that is most usual.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. Please help me with this, too.

My question deals with the use of the phrases "a most" and "the most" before an adjective and noun combination. If we have a sentence, "He is a most interesting person I have ever met," does that mean he is the most interesting person he has ever met so far (perhaps without the comparison element)? I believe it there were a comparison element involved, we should put the definte article before "interesting" resulting in the sentence, "He is the most interesting person I have ever met."

Also would you say these two correspond with the use of phrases "a first" and "the first" before a noun, as in "He is a first person to think of that idea" and "He is the first person to come up with that idea," with the first example meaning one of many firsts and the second meaning just one first (person). I should mention that even though I wrote the former of the latter two example sentences I don't quite know how to use the phrases "a first" to mean one of many firsts. Thank you for your anticipated help.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousHe is a most interesting person I have ever met.

Impossible! It has no coherent meaning at all. This must be 'the most' because of "(that) I have ever met".

AnonymousHe is a first person to think of that idea

Again, impossible! This must be 'the first' because of 'to think of that idea'.
________________

In both cases the use of a modifying phrase specifies which person. There can be only one who is most interesting and only one who is first. Therefore, 'the' must be used.
________________

'a most interesting person' (without additional modifiers) is possible. It means 'a very interesting person'.
'a first person' (without additional modifiers) is impossible.

CJ

Most dependable or least dependable

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