three questions of "old nature" kind

Question

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.

Inchoateknowledge · Accepted 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. 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. Here the pronoun that replaces and refers back to the subject: the most significant early explanations
"(why not, Henando De Soto's)" It is correct too. In this case the subject (noun) is ellipted and still the reference remains contextually clear.

I do not get your first point. the is a determiner.

Cool Breeze · Answer

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 took a trip to the capital of Italy and that of Spain. (instead of: ... and the capital of Spain.) Not: that of Spain's!
In the plural: I can't remember the names of all the people we met and those of their dogs. (instead of: ... and the names of their dogs.)

3. When most is an adverb, the can usually be omitted: I like this (the) most. Or: I like this (the) best. He can run (the) fastest.
When most is used in a superlative with an adjective, 'the' is usually needed: This is the most difficult question.

In very formal English, you can have 'a' before most to form an absolute superlative:
This is a most difficult question. (= This is a very difficult question.)
If no noun is used, 'a' is not used: This is most difficult. (= This is very difficult.)

Cheers
CB

Believer · Answer

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.

Cool Breeze · Answer

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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