- John is the very oldest child in my class. (約翰是我班上年齡最大的小孩) (正)
- Mary is the very most beautiful supermodel in Taiwan. (瑪麗是台灣最漂亮的超模) (誤)
解說:Very 這個副詞加強語可以修飾形容詞和副詞的原級與最高級,但不能修飾比較級,若要修飾比較級,須使用 much 或 very much。另外,very 雖可修飾最高級,但僅能修飾單音節以 -est 做字尾所構成的最高級 (包括 best 和 worst),不能修飾三音節 (含) 以上或以 -ful / -less / -ing / -ed / -ous 為字尾的雙音節使用 most (或 least) 或 by far the most (或 least) 所構成的最高級。例如:
- It’s very cold today. (今天很冷) (正)
- Gary always drives very fast. (蓋瑞一向開得很快) (正)
- Peter runs much faster than Sam does. (彼得跑得比山姆快很多) (正)
Peter runs very much faster than Sam does. (正)
Peter runs very faster than Sam does. (誤) - This is the very best apple pie I’ve ever tasted. (這是我嚐過最好吃的蘋果派) (正)
- This is the very lowest price we can offer. (這是我們能提供的最低價格) (正)
- Paul is the most careful student in my class. (保羅是我班上最細心的學生) (正)
Paul is the very most careful student in my class. (誤) - Professor Morgan is by far the most popular teacher in the university. (摩根教授是這所大學最受歡迎的老師) (正)
Professor Morgan is by far the very most popular teacher in the university. (誤)