'the' + 'the superlative form'

Question

Could you tell me which one is right in each following pair? Thank you in advance.

1A. Summer is hottest.

1B. Summer is the hottest.

2A. She is kindest.

2B. She is the kindest.

3A. He is happiest when he is eating.

3B. He is the happiest when he is eating.

Persian Learner · Accepted Answer

Would you try first?

Persian Learner · Answer

Okay, let's get to the answer.

lucas21c1B. Summer is the hottest.

That's correct English.

lucas21c1A. Summer is hottest.

It's fine to drop the definite article in informal style when the superlative functions as subject complement – i.e. the finite verb is a copula. But if the superlative is used with a defining expression, you cannot drop 'the', e.g:

This car is the best (that) I could buy.

And, of course, the use of 'the' is mandatory if the superlative precedes a noun phrase:

This is the best book.

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lucas21c2A. She is kindest.

2B. She is the kindest.

The same goes for the above sentences.

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lucas21c3A. He is happiest when he is eating.

3B. He is ~~the~~ happiest when he is eating.

3B is not correct because you are not comparing a person with other people; you are comparing the same person in a specific situation (when he is eating).

'the' + 'the superlative form'

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