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Navitasan Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The best ever

Are these sentences correct:

1-This is the best novel ever by Tolstoy.
2-This is the best novel by Tolstoy ever.

3-This is the best novel ever, by Tolstoy.

Which means:
a-This is the best novel ever and it was written by Tolstoy.
and which means:
b-This is the best novel Tolostoy ever wrote. (not necessarily the best novel ever).

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

I don't think there's a difference in meaning between the two, but I see where you're coming from. In any case, the sentences can be written better so that they cause no confusion. , This book by Tolstoy is the best novel of all time.

— RandomGuy

  • I don't think there's a difference in meaning between the two, but I see where you're coming from.
  • In any case, the sentences can be written better so that they cause no confusion.
  • , This book by Tolstoy is the best novel of all time.
  • Tolstoy's War and peace is the best novel ever written.
  • This is Tolstoy's best novel.
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2 Answers
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I don't think there's a difference in meaning between the two, but I see where you're coming from. In any case, the sentences can be written better so that they cause no confusion.

E.g.,

This book by Tolstoy is the best novel of all time.
Tolstoy's War and peace is the best novel ever written.

This is Tolstoy's best novel.
War and peace is Tolstoy's
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navitasan-
1-This is the best novel ever by Tolstoy.
2-This is the best novel by Tolstoy ever.
3-This is the best novel ever by Tolstoy. (no comma)
All are correct. All have the same meaning -- the meaning you call 'b'.

If you want meaning 'a', you'll need

This is the best novel ever, and i
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