Gladdest & Happiest.

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hoangkha

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Hi!
That was one of the ................... days of my life.
A. gladdest
B. happiest
The key is B but I am wondering why A isn't chosen, please.
 

Chicken Sandwich

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"Glad" has no comparative.
 

Chicken Sandwich

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"Gladdest" is the superlative form of "glad", not the comparative form. I believe "glad" has both forms, even if they're quite rare.

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention :oops:.

So you're saying that there is a comparative form of "glad"? I haven't done a lot of research, I just quickly consulted Longman, and it says that there is no comparative, see glad - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online.

The reason "gladdest" is incorrect, is probably because you cannot place it before a noun. See first definition of the link above. According to Longman, you cannot place it before a noun. That would be my guess.

Edit: Other sources indicate that there is a comparative form of "glad", see http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gladdest. Strange.
 
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hoangkha

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The reason "gladdest" is incorrect, is probably because you cannot place it before a noun. See first definition of the link above. According to Longman, you cannot place it before a noun. That would be my guess.

But
- glad news/tidings. (OALD)
 

5jj

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But - glad news/tidings. (OALD)
The OALD adds a note before these two expressions: (old-fashioned) bringing joy; full of joy: glad news/tidings
 

hoangkha

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I have just found this sentence.
- Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were 3 days apart.
 

Tdol

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Finding single/unusual examples only proves the possible existence of a form; you need to find a lot to prove that something is in common usage. Gladdest exists, but it is just not the word that collocates in the example. It's a case of collocation:

ANC:
Gladdest day- 0
Gladdest days- 1

Happiest day- 98
Happiest days- 48

BNC:
Gladdest day- 0
Gladdest days- 0

Happiest day- 13
Happiest days- 14
 
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