Conventions of Composition Rule 149 Practice

1. Wrong: Of my sister and me, I stand the tallest.

Better: Of my sister and me, I stand taller.

Also better: I stand taller than my sister.

Explanation: With only two people's heights being compared, the comparative rather than the superlative makes sense.

2. Wrong: Sasha has the most hardest last name to pronounce.

Better: Sasha has the hardest last name to pronounce.

Explanation: Hardes is already the superlative form, so a second intensifier isn't necessary.

3. Wrong: Terry and Val, their classmates all agree, have the most best enunciation on the Debate Team.

Better: Terry and Val, their classmates all agree, have the best enunciation on the debate team.

Explanation: Most and best serve the same function, so both aren't necessary.