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Phazer Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Most Numerous

I am unsure about this:

http://rovl.org/vi_wiki/index.php?The%20Fogey%20Police%20Force
"Constables are the most numerous rank of Fogey, as they have graduated from training and have proven themselves to be competent at their job"

According to these dictionary definitions (here and here), 'numerous' means 'many', and 'rank' means a position. Since there is only one constable rank, is the phrase 'the most numerous rank' wrong?
  

Top answer

It means the rank held by the greatest number. There are more constables than sergeants, inspectors etc.

— Blue Jay

  • It means the rank held by the greatest number.
  • There are more constables than sergeants, inspectors etc.
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8 Answers
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It means the rank held by the greatest number. There are more constables than sergeants, inspectors etc.
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Does that mean I can write:

"The name 'John' is the most numerous name in the city"

to mean that the name 'John' is the most common?
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A small query.
Is Fogey a place? Then say 'in Fogey'.

Clive
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No, John is the most common name.
The numerous in your original example really referred to constable rather than to rank.
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Fogey in this context is a type of policeman.
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So the following sentence:

"Brown is the most numerous eye color in the world."

is also good English (ignoring the factual accuracy)?
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No, brown is the most common eye color, because brown eyes are most numerous.
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Why would Fogey be capitalized?
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