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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
superative and article
Hi,
I am wonder if I have to place the definite article before a phrase that has a superative in front or before another word. Normally, I figure a definite noun is necessary if a singular noun/word? is involved, ie I need the best/strongest man to lift this table, but if we have 'men' instead of 'man' or 'people', do we must have to put the definite article?
I need the best/strongest men/people to ...
One more question: Does the word 'ultimate' need a definite article if a singluar noun is involved? It looks to be functioning like the word 'top' which no definite article is needed for a singular noun, IMO. Can you think of several more words like 'top'?
ultimate climbers
the ultimate climber
I am wonder if I have to place the definite article before a phrase that has a superative in front or before another word. Normally, I figure a definite noun is necessary if a singular noun/word? is involved, ie I need the best/strongest man to lift this table, but if we have 'men' instead of 'man' or 'people', do we must have to put the definite article?
I need the best/strongest men/people to ...
One more question: Does the word 'ultimate' need a definite article if a singluar noun is involved? It looks to be functioning like the word 'top' which no definite article is needed for a singular noun, IMO. Can you think of several more words like 'top'?
ultimate climbers
the ultimate climber
Top answer
Yes, you need the definite article before a superlative, whether the noun it modifies is singular or plural. the most beautiful girl/girls Top gun; top dog are fixed expressions when used without an article. Ultimate climber/climbers may be a fixed expression, but I haven't heard it.
- Yes, you need the definite article before a superlative, whether the noun it modifies is singular or plural.
- the most beautiful girl/girls Top gun; top dog are fixed expressions when used without an article.
- Ultimate climber/climbers may be a fixed expression, but I haven't heard it.
- If so, and the plural uses no article, I believe the singular would use the indefinite article.
- They are ultimate climbers.
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4 Answers
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Yes, you need the definite article before a superlative, whether the noun it modifies is singular or plural. the most beautiful girl/girls
Top gun; top dog are fixed expressions when used without an article. Ultimate climber/climbers may be a fixed expression, but I haven't heard it. If so, and the plural uses no article, I believe the singula
Top gun; top dog are fixed expressions when used without an article. Ultimate climber/climbers may be a fixed expression, but I haven't heard it. If so, and the plural uses no article, I believe the singula
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AvangiHe is the ultimate climber. (superlative)Hi Avangi
Ultimate is indeed one of the English adjectives that always or sometimes resemble a superlative in meaning. However, the superlative is a grammatical structure and structurally ultimate has nothing to do with superlatives. There are three ways to
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Thanks, CB. I actually knew better, but was trying to show ultimate as adj. vs. "psuedo-superlative," or something like that.
Do you have any comments on "top gun" or "ultimate climber" with and without articles - or definite vs. indefinite articles??
- A.
Do you have any comments on "top gun" or "ultimate climber" with and without articles - or definite vs. indefinite articles??
- A.
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AvangiDo you have any comments on "top gun" or "ultimate climber" with and without articles - or definite vs. indefinite articles??No, I don't think I have any. I'm sure your reliable ear will offer you the right choices.
CB
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