The? + superlative adjective

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. Mangoes are most expensive in early summer, when they first come out.
  2. Mangoes are the most expensive in early summer, when they first come out.
  3. Yellowstone is most crowded in summer.
  4. Yellowstone is the most crowded in summer.
  5. He’s nicest when he’s with children.
  6. He’s the nicest when he’s with children.
  7. She works hardest when she’s doing something for her family.
  8. She works the hardest when she’s doing something for her family.
    Which of the above sentences is not acceptable to native speakers?
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2

Though I’m not a native user of English, I’d say the following (without the) are acceptable.

  1. Mangoes are most expensive in early summer … .
  2. The Yellowstone is most crowded in summer. (If you mean the river by Yellowstone)
  3. He’s nicest when he’s with children.
  4. She works hardest when she’s doing something for her family.

(In my opinion, unless there is a direct comparison, the definite article does not play any role. And when the superlative is without the definite article, the adjective just shows the highest degree of the quality assignable to the person or thing.)

And, if you want to use the definite article, those sentences should be as follows:

  1. Mangoes are the most expensive of all fruits in early summer … .
  2. The Yellowstone is the most crowded of all rivers in summer.
  3. He’s the nicest parent when he’s with children.
  4. She works the hardest of all members when she’s doing something for her family.

Native speakers like @Alan, @RyanBell and @Andrea may please offer their comments.

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3

All of it seems correct

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4

Only 1, 3, 5, and 7 are correct. We do not use the with superlatives when we compare the same person or thing in different situations.

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