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Superlative construction

 

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  #1  
Old February 15, 2010, 03:11 AM
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Superlative construction

Muy buenas!

One tidbit of grammar that always confuses me is the construction of the superlative.

For example, I understand that "la" is used in front of a singular feminine adjective, correct?
Ella es la más guapa en el mundo.
And for "el", it is used in front of a singular masculine noun used in relative superlatives, correct?
Él es el chico más inteligente de la clase.

My question lies in "lo" and when it is used.

Are these examples correct?
Esta tapa es la más rica que he probado aquí.
Ese hombre es lo más gracioso.
Esta casa es la más cara en la ciudad.
Carlos es el chico más conocido en mi escuela.

(If so, how would you explain why "lo" is used in number 2? As a result of preceding a masculine adjective instead of a masculine noun?)

I think the problem is that I am confused by my confusion!

If anyone has any good ways to explain all of this, I would appreciate it! Sorry it my post was sort of scatterbrained.

Meag
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  #2  
Old February 15, 2010, 03:29 AM
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Buena pregunta amiga

No puedo darte una respuesta completa pero...

Sé que el neutro "lo" les refiere a los sujetos no conocidos

Lo mejor del español es el neutro
El mejor jugador es Iker
La mejor chica es Shakira

Lo nuevo es que están aprendiendo (the new / whats new is that they are learning)
El nuevo hombre
La nueva canción

Lo más gracioso de la casa - (the best of the house
El más gracioso hombre
La más graciosa mujer


Con los ejemplos con LO no hay un sujeto, (the best, the new, the most... ect.
------

No creo que ese ejemplo tiene razón
Ese hombre es lo más gracioso.

Pero siempre no tengo razón
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Last edited by bobjenkins; February 15, 2010 at 03:33 AM.
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  #3  
Old February 15, 2010, 03:49 AM
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Roughly speaking, lo + adj can be translated the adj thing, and this applies whether or not the adjective is superlative.

Lo importante es que llegamos primeros. The important thing is that we arrive first.
El gol de Hernández fue lo más interesante del partido. Hernández's goal was the most interesting thing [which happened] in the match.
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Old February 15, 2010, 04:19 AM
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If you say "este hombre es el más gracioso" there's a direct comparison between this particular man and others.

If you say "este hombre es lo más gracioso" you are describing him, stating your opinion of him, or in other words "qualifying" him and as such the "lo" does not change in number or gender. Other examples: yo soy testaruda pero vosotras lo sois más; soy española pero no lo parezco; ayer no estaba enfadado pero hoy sí que lo estoy.

Hope this helps
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Old February 15, 2010, 06:57 AM
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Thank you all very much! I think that definitely cleared up some of my confusion

PTJ- I like the idea of thinking of it in regards to "thing", I had never thought of it like that before.

Gracias a tod@s!
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