(the) most

[aachu]

I've been using the definite article with superlatives but I cam across a few sentences where writers veer away from this rule(?). For example I've been saying: "This is the book I liked the most". But I've seen a few writers write: "Language, art and physical education are the classes he likes most ". Which is correct. The one with the article or the one without it?

[billmcd]

I've been using the definite article with superlatives but I cam across a few sentences where writers veer away from this rule(?). For example I've been saying: "This is the book I liked the most". But I've seen a few writers write: "Language, art and physical education are the classes he likes most ". Which is correct. The one with the article or the one without it?

"The" is optional preceding "most" when the noun(s) being modified have been previously mentioned/identified and not repeated.