Usage When Considering Only Two Things
In many languages, including English, traditional grammar requires the comparative form to be used when exactly two things are being considered, even in constructions where the superlative would be used when considering a larger number. For instance, May the better man win would be considered correct if there are only two individuals competing. However this rule is not always observed in informal usage; the form May the best man win will often be used in that situation, as it would if there were three or more competitors involved.
Read more about this topic: Degree Of Comparison
Famous quotes containing the words two things and/or usage:
“Science and literature are not two things, but two sides of one thing.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“Girls who put out are tramps. Girls who don’t are ladies. This is, however, a rather archaic usage of the word. Should one of you boys happen upon a girl who doesn’t put out, do not jump to the conclusion that you have found a lady. What you have probably found is a lesbian.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)