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Fire1 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

The worst and best (ones)

  1. Reckless drivers (surveys says that Irish drivers are among the worst) are also a problem in the countryside, so remain cautious and alert.

  2. Many people are reporting a grim satisfaction as the worst of the worst are being eliminated.

  3. Around the country, museums display artefacts that have been discovered in each region; the best are at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura in Managua.

  4. The best of the best are quick to admit that they are always learning.

(All the sentences above were brought from English books on Google)

Q1) I would like to know whether in all the sentences above, we can think that "ones" is implied after "the worst" and "the best" as in "the worst ones" and "the best ones"

Q2) If Q1 is correct, then, is omitting "ones" acceptable according to context like in the four sentences?

I do think that "ones" is implied because "the worst" and "the best" seem to imply plurality.

  

Top answer

Yes, "the worst/best" implies "the worst/best + noun". The implied noun can be singular or plural, depending on context. If the noun has already been mentioned then "one(s)" (or other generic word) may be used to avoid repetition.

— GPY

  • Yes, "the worst/best" implies "the worst/best + noun".
  • The implied noun can be singular or plural, depending on context.
  • If the noun has already been mentioned then "one(s)" (or other generic word) may be used to avoid repetition.
  • The noun can be and often is omitted where it is clear from context, as in your examples, which are all correct.
  • "the worst of the worst" and "the best of the best" are nearly set phrases in the noun-less form.
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1 Answers
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Yes, "the worst/best" implies "the worst/best + noun". The implied noun can be singular or plural, depending on context. If the noun has already been mentioned then "one(s)" (or other generic word) may be used to avoid repetition. The noun can be and often is omitted where it is clear from context, as in your examples, which are all correct. "the worst of the worst" and "the best of the best"

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