In Expressions^x, Adverbs^x, Idioms^x

If you take the point of view that perfect is an 'absolute' (non-gradable) adjective, an adjective of which there can be no degrees -- a point of view being disputed in this thread, but for the sake of argument, let's say we take this viewpoint -- then more perfect is impossible...

The prepositions are both fine and natural, but in AmE we'd add a third, so to speak. We use the expression (idiom) "line up" to form a line. I guess BrE is "que." I don't know if it can stand alone, or if it's "que up," or if I'm spelling it...

. CJ

An adverb, not an adjective, must be used to modify an adjective. So why does the expression “the absolute best…” sound correct and “the absolutely best…” sound not just pedantic but wrong? My impression is the reverse. Is “the absolute (your superlative here)…” construction an established...

An adverb, not an adjective, must be used to modify an adjective. So why does the expression “the absolute best…” sound correct and “the absolutely best…” sound not just pedantic but wrong? Is “the absolute (your superlative here)…” construction an established idiom, or is it that this...

Hanuman, I'd like to add a little about the use of the adverb "right". I hope it will be useful to others as well. The adverb "right" is typically used as a modifier of other adverbs, prepositional phrases, and adverbial clauses of time and place. Examples: TIME: exactly, immediately,...

"in a long time" and a few similar expressions, e.g., "in a long while", "in a dog's age", "in ages" are restricted to the idea of time in the past extending to the present moment. They are therefore restricted to use with the perfect tenses and used almost exclusively with the present perfect....