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Meaning & use

superlative of many

phrase·Everyday

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UK/sʊˌpɜːlətɪv əv ˈmeni/
US/sʊˌpɜːrlətɪv əv ˈmeni/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    The form of the word "many" used to say that one group or person has a larger number than all others.

    Grammar: Used before a plural noun, usually with "the": the most votes, the most friends.

    Patterns

    • the most + plural noun
    • have the most + plural noun
    • with the most + plural noun

    Of all the students, Maya has the most books.

    This city gets the most visitors in summer.

    Which team scored the most goals this season?

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    Used to compare amounts when three or more things are involved, showing the largest quantity.

    Grammar: Contrasts with the comparative "more," which is used for only two things.

    Patterns

    • the most + noun + of all
    • the most + noun + in a group

    He earns the most money of anyone in the office.

    This shop sells the most bread in the neighborhood.

  3. phrasefixed phrase

    Used after "the" to mean the largest number of people or things, without a following noun.

    Grammar: The noun can be left out when the meaning is already clear from context.

    Patterns

    • the most
    • have the most
    • get the most

    She didn't win the most, but she tried hard.

    The team with the most wins the prize.

Common combinations

the most + plural noun
She has the most friends in the class.
have the most
They have the most experience on the team.
get the most votes
The green design got the most votes.
spend the most money
Tourists spend the most money in July.
the most of all
He read the most of all the students.

Synonyms and how they differ

the greatest number of
A longer phrase with the same meaning; "the most" is shorter and far more common in speech.
the largest amount of
Similar, but "amount" is used with uncountable nouns, while "most" with "many" goes with countable plural nouns.

Opposites

the fewestthe least

Word family

many determiner
A large number of people or things.
more determiner
The comparative form, used for comparing two things.
much determiner
A large amount, used with uncountable nouns.

Commonly confused: superlative of many or more? superlative of many or mostly?

superlative of many vs more

"More" compares two things; "the most" compares three or more. Say "the more expensive of the two" but "the most expensive of all."

superlative of many vs mostly

"Mostly" is an adverb meaning "mainly" and has nothing to do with quantity comparison.

Practice

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