Which colour do you like (the) best?

[Yourjones]

Hello,

Should I say "best" or "the best" in:

"What colour do you like …… ?"

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

Either one is OK.

 

[Yourjones]

Thank you so much! Now I know either one is fine.

I had this question because I remember I was taught the word "the" can not be dropped in superlatives. Should I doubt that statement now?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, you should.

 

[emsr2d2]

Thank you so much! Now I know either one is fine.

I had this question because I remember I was taught the word "the" can not be dropped in superlatives. Should I doubt that statement now?

It depends on the context.

Which colour do you like best? :tick:
Which colour do you like the best? :tick:

The best colour is red. :tick:
Best colour is red. :cross:

It is the best job in the world. :tick:
It is best job in the world. :cross:

 

[MikeNewYork]

John likes Linda and Rhonda, but he likes Linda best/the best.
Fred likes St. Barts and Jamaica, but he likes St. Barts best/the best.

 

[engee30]

NOT A TEACHER

In general, the definite article tends to be left out when used informally.
However, if the superlative adjective is used without making any reference, then the definite article is not used at all, as in:

In summertime, the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm.

 

[tzfujimino]

John likes Linda and Rhonda, but he likes Linda best/the best.
Fred likes St. Barts and Jamaica, but he likes St. Barts best/the best.

Hello, Mike.:-D
May I ask you a question here?

If those had been written by my student, I would have corrected them to:

John likes Linda and Rhonda, but he likes Linda better.
Fred Likes St. Barts and Jamaica, but he likes St. Barts better.

Is it OK to use the superlative form when comparing two things/people?

Thank you.

 

[probus]

I will usurp Mike here. The superlative is grammatically wrong, but we hear it every day.

 

[MikeNewYork]

It is done, but your phrasing is better. I was just trying to come up with examples.

 

[Alex S]

I wouldn't use THE here. I consider BEST an adverb here, not a superlative form of the adjective