With or without "the"

Question

Which one is correct: "of all the people, I like him the best" OR 2of all the people I like him best" ?

Xerxes · Accepted Answer

I would omit the definite article and say, "...I like him best".

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks! So does using that article make the sentence incorrect? Or is it optional?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Anonymous Which one is correct: "of all the people, I like him the best" OR 2of all the people I like him best" ?

Strictly speaking, this is a misplaced modifier. "Of all the people" applies to him, not to you. "

Of all the people [in my class, at work, in my book club, in the world, etc.], he is the one I like the best.

This is a point that is more academic than anything else. No one would be confused by the structure you used.

I'd use the "the" but in another thread, I learned this may be a BrE/AmE difference.

Xerxes · Answer

Anon,
As per BarbaraPa's post, both are correct. I was just expressing my personal preference.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks again!

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