Best Vs. The Best?

Question

Best Vs. The Best?

1
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Hi!

A studied some bits of grammar and came across
a thing that puzzeled me.

Is there any difference between the following
sentences:

1) John chose the exam because he knew this subject best.

2) John chose the exam because he knew this subject THE best.

I suppose (1) means John knows the subj. better than
any other subj. But (2) - with "THE" - emphasizes
that he knows subj. better than anybody (in a certain group, etc)

Is it right? Thanx in advance!

Oct 31 2006 09:33:30

Comments

Personally I would tend not to use the article, but it doesn't sound wrong with THE. I don't think there's any difference in meaning. The distinction you suggest would have to be expressed by other words.

Oct 31 2006 11:59:26

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J LewisPersonally I would tend not to use the article, but it doesn't sound wrong with THE.

I feel the same.

Oct 31 2006 14:09:34

Ok, if there is no difference between them,
but what is the right meaning - better than any other subject or better than anybody in a group?

Oct 31 2006 14:34:46

Cool Breeze's reply was promoted to an answer.

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1) John chose the exam because he knew this subject best.

If you want to give two clear meanings, you can say:
A. John chose the exam because he was the one who knew this subject best (in the class).
B. John chose the exam because this was the subject he knew best.

Oct 31 2006 16:37:47

Now I see how to express what I want to say.

Thank you all very much!

Oct 31 2006 16:58:01

1 is correct : BEST.but 2 we use THE best when and only when there are other persons mentioned: John knew it the best of the 3 learners

Oct 23 2015 08:14:09

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People. not persons, bro.

Oct 06 2017 15:00:52

Answer this Question

Personally I would tend not to use the article, but it doesn't sound wrong with THE. I don't think there's any difference in meaning. The distinction you suggest would have to be expressed by other words.
J LewisPersonally I would tend not to use the article, but it doesn't sound wrong with THE.
I feel the same.
Ok, if there is no difference between them,
but what is the right meaning - better than any other subject or better than anybody in a group?
1) John chose the exam because he knew this subject best.

If you want to give two clear meanings, you can say:
A. John chose the exam because he was the one who knew this subject best (in the class).
B. John chose the exam because this was the subject he knew best.
Now I see how to express what I want to say.

Thank you all very much!
1 is correct : BEST.but 2 we use THE best when and only when there are other persons mentioned: John knew it the best of the 3 learners

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer · 2006-10-31T15:55

Best and the best are adverbs in your sentences and therefore both are correct and there is no difference in meaning. They normally refer to this subject. English grammar is easy to learn since there is so little of it, but that very fact can lead to ambiguity. Superlatives of adverbs need no article, but, if you want to include an article, it is possible:

He sings most beautifully.
= 1. more beautifully than anyone else
2. very/extremely beautifully (In other words, the structure can be interpreted as an absolute superlative.)

He sings the most beautifully.
= 1. more beautifully than anyone else

Cheers
CB

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