most*/*/*/

[məʊst]

grammar word summary: Most is the superlative form of much and many. It can be: ■ an adverb: Love is what these children need most. ♦ Angie looks like her father the most. ■ a determiner: Most shops will be closed over Christmas. ♦ Which athlete won the most medals? ■ a pronoun: All the victims were male, and most were between the ages of 15 and 25. ♦ Most of my friends live in this area.

1) used for comparing people, places, things etc to a greater degree than anyone or anything else

Ant:

least

Zurich is Switzerland's most important city.[/ex]

Who do you think is most likely to win the next presidential election?[/ex]

The English Patient was one of the most successful films ever made.[/ex]

Most is used to form the superlative with adjectives and adverbs with three or more syllables, such as ‘important', and many adjectives and adverbs with two syllables, such as ‘often'.Adjectives and adverbs with only one syllable form the comparative by adding -est, and not with most.

2) the largest part the largest part of something, or the majority of people or things

Ant:

least

Most people think of robots as machines that look like people.[/ex]

A few of the moths are grey, but most are white.[/ex]

Johnson spent most of his life in London.[/ex]

Most of the time we sit around playing cards.[/ex]

3) the largest amount a larger amount or number than any other

Those who earn most pay most tax.[/ex]

We chose the option that would help the most people.[/ex]

4) happening most happening or doing something more often or to a greater degree than anyone or anything else

Ant:

least

Of the three boys, Eric had changed the most.[/ex]

What I want most of all is to spend more time with my little girl.[/ex]

5) very formal

used for emphasizing a particular quality

We spent a most enjoyable afternoon at the races.[/ex]

•

at (the) most — used for showing that you are mentioning the largest possible amount and that the real amount may be less[/ex]

The whole process will take half an hour at the most.[/ex]

for the most part — in most cases, or generally[/ex]

There were a few complaints, but for the most part people seemed to enjoy themselves.[/ex]

for the most part — used for saying that something is mainly true but not completely true[/ex]

For the most part we were happy to live alongside each other.[/ex]