Note. In older English the superlative sometimes occurs when only two objects are thought of. This use is still found in a few proverbial phrases: as,—“Put your best foot foremost.”
200. The superlative is sometimes used merely for emphasis, without implying any definite comparison: as—“My dearest Kate!”
The superlative of emphasis is very common with most.
- Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors.—Shakspere.
- Justice had been most cruelly defrauded.—Wordsworth.
Excessive use of this construction (like frequent repetition of very) is tiresome and weakens style.
Double comparison (as more worthier, most unkindest) is common in older English, but is now a gross error.
201. When two adjectives or adverbs are contrasted by means of than, more is used with the first.
- Such indulgence is more kind than wise.
- This scheme is more clever than honest.
- He acts more boldly than discreetly.
Note. The adverb rather is often used with the first adjective or adverb (as,—“rather kind than wise” or “kind rather than wise”
), but in a slightly different sense.