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Paul Evdokimov Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

(the) most with a verb

Hi there!

I didn`t pay attention to this issue until I ran across this part at Cambridge dictionaries online:
''We use 'the most' with a verb as an adverb:
They all cried, but Claire cried the most.
...
What I liked most were the beautiful beaches.
Which beaches did you like most?''

Why is it that 'Clare cried THE most' whereas 'I like most'?

Thanks for your answers in advance.
  

Top answer

It’s just my impression, but it seems when you have stated a liking for several things, you might want to make your top choice “the most”. I don’t see it as being a grammatical necessity, but a way to choose between two superlatives. ” “I liked the waves that lapped at my feet, the sand between my toes, and the sun in the morning.

— Wilpeter

  • It’s just my impression, but it seems when you have stated a liking for several things, you might want to make your top choice “the most”.
  • I don’t see it as being a grammatical necessity, but a way to choose between two superlatives.
  • ” “I liked the waves that lapped at my feet, the sand between my toes, and the sun in the morning.
  • ”
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8 Answers
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It’s just my impression, but it seems when you have stated a liking for several things, you might want to make your top choice “the most”. I don’t see it as being a grammatical necessity, but a way to choose between two superlatives.
“Which feature did you like the most?”
“I liked the waves that lapped at my feet, the sand between my toes, and the sun in the morning. What I liked the mo
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wilpeter, thanks for your comment.The thing is Cambridge guys chose 'the most' in the instance of no particular choice or preference,i.e. the sentence about Claire, and 'most' in the instance with the beaches, which seems to contradict your presumption - if I got it right.
There must be some kind of grammar rule...
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I’ve seen examples where most is used as an adjective and “the” is included.
She is the most beautiful girl in the world.
But, to me, tea with milk and a little sugar is most satisfying.
When used as an adverb, there are far fewer cases where “the” is inserted; but it seems where comparing one action with “all” others, “the” is accepted.
Which of our species cr
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Paul EvdokimovWe use 'the most' with a verb as an adverb
That may be true, but we also use 'most' with a verb as an adverb. I know of no rule that insists that "the" must always be included.

Claire cried most. / Claire cried the most.
What I liked most were ... / What I liked the most were ...
This book helped me most. / This
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wilpeter ...most is used as an adjective and “the” is included.She is the most beautiful girl in the world.
I`m sorry to say, but 'most' in this case is an adverb that serves to make the superlative form of an adjective (beautiful), and 'the' belongs to a noun (girl). It`s not quite relevant to the initial 'verb + most' issue.
wilpeter
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CalifJim, thanks for your comment. Actually, it`s Cambridge dictionaries online who maintain that "we use 'the most' with a verb as an adverb'':
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/most-the-most-mostly
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Paul EvdokimovActually, it`s Cambridge dictionaries online who maintain that "we use 'the most' with a verb as an adverb'':
Yes, you said that above, and I read the dictionary entry before replying. That doesn't change my answer.
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CalifJimI know of no rule that insists that "the" must always be included.Claire cried most. / Claire cried the most.What I liked most were ... / What I liked the most were ...This book helped me most. / This book helped me the most ...
Exactly. There is no such rule. As a rule, the is optional with adverbs in the superlative, especially with short adve
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