Superlative form

[Tvita]

Could you please help me to undestand why there is no "the" before "easiest" in the following sentence:

It is easiest for the casualty to breathe in this position and takes some of the strain off the heart.

 

[Hi_there_Carl]

The definite article (the) is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is particular or specific. In the sentence "It is easiest for the casualty to breathe in this position and takes some of the strain off the heart." the word easiest is not a noun and so it does not the article to precede it. ;-)

 

[Tvita]

What about this sentence? Could you tell the difference between these examples?

This hotel is the cheapest in town.

It is easiest for the casualty to breathe in this position..

 

[David L.]

The person is actually saying, "This hotel is the cheapest (hotel) in town."
He could just as easily have said, "This is the cheapest hotel in town."

It is easiest for the casualty to breathe in this position..
That's easy for you to say. (What noun would you put straight after 'easy'??)
It's hard to understand. ((What noun would you put after 'hard'??)
It's easier to go by car than walk.
It's easiest if everyone just brings their own lunch.
The easiest thing is if everyone just brings their own lunch.
That is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.