Use of article with ‘most’
#1. Most + adjective.
The definite article is used when most serves to form the superlative degree of an adjective.
This is the most interesting chapter in the book.
The use of the indefinite article shows that a high degree of a quality is meant.
Most has the same meaning as very, exceedingly.
Caroline found that the old maid had been a most devoted daughter and sister. (Ch. Bronte)
NOTE: Occasionally the form of the superlative degree does not express comparison, but a high degree of a quality.
He listened with the most profound attention.
He listened with the deepest attention.
#2. Most + of + noun.
When definite people or things are meant the noun is used with the definite article and most is followed by the preposition of.
Most of the flowers in the garden were planted by the schoolchildren. Most of the gentlemen looked both angry and uncomfortable. (Voynich)
We say most, not most of the, when we do not mean definite people or things. The noun is used in a general sense.
Most flowers smell sweet.
‘few’, ‘a few’ or ‘the few’
Few means ‘little in number’, it has a negative meaning.
He was a very good man. There are few like him in the world today. (Abrahams)
A few means ‘some’, it has a positive meaning.
He left after a few moments. (Dreiser)
The few means ‘those rare’.
You need not fear to hear the few remaining words we have to say. (Dickens)
‘little’, ‘a little’ or ‘the little’
Little means ‘little in number’, it has a negative meaning.
We can’t go skiing today. There is too little snow.
A little means ‘some’, it has a positive meaning.
We have a little time. Let us take a walk in the garden.
The little means ‘those rare’.
Don’t waste the little time you have.
‘two, three, four’ or ‘ the two, the three, the four’
Two means ‘number preceding three’.
Two students entered the room.
The two means ‘both, those two’.
The two friends travelled together.
The two books you lent me proved very interesting.
‘the second’ or ‘ a second’
The second is an ordinal numeral.
The second attempt proved more successful than the first.
A second means ‘another, one more’.
Having eaten the gruel, Oliver asked for a second portion.
In the third, a third, the fourth, a fourth etc. we see the same difference in meaning.
He made an experiment which proved his theory. He made a second, a third, a fourth experiment with the same results.
A second time means ‘once more’.
I rang the bell, but nobody answered it, so I had to ring a second time.
‘another’ or ‘ the other’
The pronoun another has two meanings:
#1. any other
Give me another pen, I don’t like this one.
#2. One more
I am thirsty; I should like another cup of tea.
The other means ‘known other’.
There are two books here, take one and I’ll take the other.
‘last’ or ‘ the last’
Nouns modified by the adjective last are always used with the definite article except in the expressions last month, last year, last week, last summer (winter, autumn, spring).
The last word remained with George.
Last summer, in Switzerland, he was quite well. (Voynich)
‘next’ or ‘ the next’
Next means ‘future’ when referring to time. next month, next week.
The next means ‘coming immediately after the present one in order, rank, or space’: the next room, at the next lesson.
We shall discuss this matter next time.
In reference to time viewed from the past both next and the next mean same.
We spent a fortnight in Kiev. The next week was spent in Odessa (or: Next week was spent in Odessa).
‘a number’ or ‘ the number’
A number of means’ ‘many’.
The number means ‘an arithmetical value’.
His father and a number of his cronies were in the dining-room. (Dreiser)
The number of mistakes he makes is startling.