run (the) fastest

Question

Which is correct or better?1-1. I run the fastest among the three.1-2. I run fastest among the three.2-1. Mary feels the happiest when she's eating something sweet.2-2. Mary feels happiest when she's eating something sweet.Thank you.

Rvw · Accepted Answer

If the verb is a linking one, then a subjective complement is called for. Otherwise, an adverb.

Linking Verb: A verb that joins the subject to a subjective complement, which either describes or renames or otherwiase represents the subject. The most common linking verb in English is the verb to be, but many other verbs are used sometimes as linking verbs: become, continue, feel, grow, look, remain, ring, seem, smell sound, taste, turn.

Subjective Complement: A noun, noun-equivalent, or adjective placed after a linking verb to complete the meaning of the subject. An adjective as subjective complement modifies the subject, as in "The man is young," in which young describes man; a noun as subjective complement renames or represents the subject, as in "The man is a plumber," in which plumber and man both refer to the same person. --- Understanding Grammar, by Paul Roberts.

-I run fastest [adverb] among the three.
-I am fastest [adjective subjective complement] among the three.
-I am the fastest [person] [noun subjective complement] among the three.

-Mary most happily [adverb] eats something sweet.
-Mary feels happiest [adjective subjective complement] when she's eating something sweet.
-Mary is the happiest [person] [noun subjective comlement] when she's eating something sweet.

Rishonly · Answer

Excellent explanation, rvw.

Desk teal 155 · Answer

which one is correct??? i do not understand

run (the) fastest

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions