"one of the more ～" v.s. "one of the most ～"
In my textbook, there is a sentence like this:
- It is one of the more useful instruments.
I've never saw MORE like this.
I thought in a sentence like this I have to say MOST.
Then my question is, what is the difference between MORE and MOST.
- It is one of the MORE useful instruments.
- It is one of the MOST useful instruments.
I feel the meaning is more emphasized by MOST.
Thanks.
Search from various English teachers...
Corrections · 7
1
"one of the more ～" v.s. "one of the most ～"
In my textbook, there is a sentence like this:- It is one of the more useful instruments.
I've never saw MORE like this.
I thought in a sentence like this I have to say MOST.
Then my question is, what is the difference between MORE and MOST.
- It is one of the MORE useful instruments.
- It is one of the MOST useful instruments.
I feel the meaning is more emphasized by MOST.
Thanks.
"One of the most" means that the thing is in the top 10 or top 10% or could be the top depending on people's perception.
"One of the more" means it is above average, or some other things might not be, but this one is. E.g. One of the more fun toys. This means that it is more fun than an average toy or that some of the other toys are not really fun, but this one is fun.
0
Or, "She is one of the most popular singers" = "She can be the most popular singer ( but I don't know exactly)" ???
0
Oh, really?
You mean "She is one of the most popular singers", "It is one of the most famous temples in Japan" sound strange?
I thought these are natural because here in Japan these sentences often appear in English textbook. That kind of expression is understandable, but sometimes sounds strange?
0
No problem! It does seem a bit strange to say "one of the most useful..."
It would be much easier if it was either "the most useful" or "one of the more useful..." like you say it is in Japanese.
I can understand how Western languages can be very confusing with things like this!
I am glad that I could help :)
0
Hi, Nicol.
Thank you for your comment.
I can confirm my understanding is not wrong!
In Japanese, the best or the most something usually means it is the only one.
We don't say "one of the best" at all.
This difference between Japanese and Western Languages sometimes causes confusion.
But, thanks again. Your message really helps me.
Want to progress faster?
Join this learning community and try out free exercises!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
