Meaning & use
most
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Meanings
determinerbefore a noun
The largest number or amount of a group; nearly all of something.
Grammar: Used before plural or uncountable nouns without 'the': most people, most water.
Patterns
- most + plural noun
- most + uncountable noun
- most of + the/my/these + noun
Most students passed the exam.
Most of the money was spent on food.
Most of my friends live in the city.
determinerbefore a noun
The greatest amount or degree; the superlative of 'much' or 'many'.
Grammar: Often used with 'the': the most money, the most people.
Patterns
- the most + noun
- the most + adjective/adverb
She has the most experience in the team.
This is the most interesting book I've read.
He earns the most money in the company.
adverb
To the greatest degree or extent; very.
Grammar: Used to form superlatives of adjectives and adverbs: most beautiful, most quickly.
Patterns
- most + adjective
- most + adverb
- the most + adjective
This is the most delicious cake I've ever tasted.
She works most efficiently in the morning.
He was most kind to help us.
pronoun
The majority of people or things.
Grammar: Used without a following noun: Most agree, Most of them are here.
Patterns
- most of + pronoun
- most + verb
Most of us enjoy holidays.
Most were happy with the result.
I've read most of them.
Common combinations
- most of all
- I love summer most of all.
- at most
- There are at most ten people coming.
- make the most of
- Make the most of your free time.
- most likely
- She will most likely arrive late.
- the most important
- This is the most important meeting of the year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- almost all
- Means nearly every one; 'most' is more concise and common before nouns.
- majority
- A noun meaning more than half; 'most' can mean a larger proportion and is less formal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: most or almost?
most vs almost
Almost means nearly but not completely; most means the majority or greatest amount.
Practice
_____ people prefer to travel by train.
Choose one answer.
'Most' is correct before a plural noun without 'the'. 'The most' would need a specific group, 'almost' would need 'of', and 'mostly' is an adverb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “most”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.