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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

three questions of "old nature" kind

1. When is it right to put the before the determiner the before the word "future" and when not?

The first sentence is Nona's:

Phew, this is a long one Believer, it might be better if you split these things up into several posts in future.

In the future, you can ask him help.

Somewhere in the future, it might be his.

2. Can you give me some more examples where this kind of genitive form??? is acceptable? I got this partial sentence from a U.S. government website that tells about U.S. history. Maybe you can refer me to a previous post.

Among the most significant early explanations was that of Hernando De Soto (why not, Henando De Soto's), a veteran conquistador who had ...

3. I sometimes have difficulty clearly seeing the difference between the cases involving the words the most and most. Help.

I like this most.

I like this the most.

This is the most attractive pieces of clothing I have seen so far.

This is most attractive pieces of clothing.
  

Top answer

This is the most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing I have seen so far. It means nothing is more attractive than ... This is a most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing.

  • This is the most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing I have seen so far.
  • It means nothing is more attractive than ...
  • This is a most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing.
  • here most means very Among the most significant early explanations was that of Hernando De Soto (why not, Henando De Soto's), a veteran conquistador who had ...
  • This is an independent genitive.
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4 Answers
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This is the most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing I have seen so far. It means nothing is more attractive than ... .

This is a most attractive piece (not pieces) of clothing. here most means very

Among the most significant early explanations was that of Hernando De Soto (why not,
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Hi Believer

1. There is a slight difference between in future and in the future. In future means 'from now onwards':
I'm tired of helping you, in future you'll have to manage on your own.

In the future means 'in the period of time ahead of this, but not necessarily immediately ahead':
No one knows what will happen in the future.

2. He
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Thank you very much. That was a really good explanation.

Would you say or is it true that there is little or no difference between the cases involving the omission of the and the inclusion of the when you are using most as an adverb like your sentences below?

I like this (the) best. I like this (the) most.

He can run (the) fastest.
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Hi Believer

You're welcome. There is no difference in meaning in the sentences you have quoted. Sometimes, especially when a superlative is formed with most, it is advisable to use the article to avoid ambiguity:

He can sing the most beautifully.

'He can sing most beautifully' often means the same as 'he can sing very beautifully'.

Cheers
CB

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