Hi
I found this sentence at flo-joe: "... in a way that they feel most comfortable in.".
I'm wondering, whether there should be "the" before "most comfortable" or not.
Thanks in advance.
I found this sentence at flo-joe: "... in a way that they feel most comfortable in.".
I'm wondering, whether there should be "the" before "most comfortable" or not.
Thanks in advance.
1 2
Comments
I wish you had included the whole sentence. The double-"in" seems redundant. (maybe not)
Do it in a way [that] they feel / are [more] comfortable with.
Do it in the way [that] they feel / are [the] most comfortable with.
There are other problems.
The indefinite article "a" would go with "more comfortable."
The definite article "the" would go with "most comfortable."
Do it [in] the way that makes them [feel] [the] most comfortable.
Do it in a way that makes them [feel] more comfortable.
Context could have an effect on these choices.
Your original phrase, as it stands, is not a good one. Adding "the" will not improve it.
workers are far more (8) productive when they have the (PRODUCT)
(9) freedom to dress in a way that they feel most (FREE)
(10) comfortable in. (COMFORT)
This is the original sentence from flo-joe, with filled gaps.
I've never heard of omitting "the" before "most" + adj before.
My hands are tied, because I find "to dress in a way that they feel most comfortable in" abominable.
To me, the optional article has nothing to do with the problem.
This is most distressing. fine.
This is the most distressing situation I've ever been in! fine. ("The" may not be omitted in this case.)
Do what will make you [the] most comfortable. fine. ("The" is optional.)
Thank you.
I think this is an example of the elative (rather than the superlative) and it has the meaning of
This is very distressing. (=This is a most/very distressing situation)
Regarding the article, the difference seems to depend on the presence of a noun.
It's the noun which requires the article!
This is the most effective solution to the problem. This is the best solution. (mandatory article)
What would make you [feel] [the] most comfortable? (optional "the"; no noun)
The placement of the noun also seems to make a difference.
(a) In my opinion, this plan is [the] most beneficial. (optional)
(b) In my opinion, this is the most beneficial plan. (required)
You could argue that in example (a) "most" is the elative rather than the superlative (as Ivanhr pointed out),
but I think in this case it could be taken either way.