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Originally posted by CalJustNo, it is not. 'Most' has subtle variation in meaning depending on context.
Oh yes? And what book is that?
Normally, and statistically, 50,1% is most of a particular sample!
If I said: 'most people survive brain surgery' would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 patients survive? I don't think so.
If I said: 'most people have university degrees', would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 people have university degrees? I don't think so.
But maybe English is different where you live.
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Originally posted by twhiteheadIndeed. >50% corresponds to a simple majority.
No, it is not. 'Most' has subtle variation in meaning depending on context.
If I said: 'most people survive brain surgery' would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 patients survive? I don't think so.
If I said: 'most people have university degrees', would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 people have university degrees? I don't think so.
But maybe English is different where you live.
But most implies more than a simple majority.
Although personally I would not baulk at 75% of a sample being described as most.
That would be on the lower limits of what I would accept for the use of the word most.
Originally posted by twhiteheadYES, and emphatically so, to both your examples.
No, it is not. 'Most' has subtle variation in meaning depending on context.
If I said: 'most people survive brain surgery' would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 patients survive? I don't think so.
If I said: 'most people have university degrees', would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 people have university degrees? I don't think so.
But maybe English is different where you live.
Most by any definition means more than the other alternative, and 51/100 would certainly fulfil that requirement.
I must say I was really surprised when you stated that even 75% was NOT most of anything.
Just out of curiosity, how much do you think would qualify as most, in your examples of brain surgery or university degrees? 85%? 95%??
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Originally posted by twhiteheadmost
No, it is not. 'Most' has subtle variation in meaning depending on context.
If I said: 'most people survive brain surgery' would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 patients survive? I don't think so.
If I said: 'most people have university degrees', would you take it that 51 or more out of 100 people have university degrees? I don't think so.
But maybe English is different where you live.
adj. Superlative of many, much.
1.
a. Greatest in number: won the most votes.
b. Greatest in amount, extent, or degree: has the most compassion.
2. In the greatest number of instances: Most fish have fins.
n.
1. The greatest amount or degree: She has the most to gain.
2. Slang The greatest, best, or most exciting. Used with the: That party was the most!
pron.
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) The greatest part or number: Most of the town was destroyed. Most of the books were missing.
adv. Superlative of much.
1. In or to the highest degree or extent. Used with many adjectives and adverbs to form the superlative degree: most honest; most impatiently.
2. Very: a most impressive piece of writing.
3. Informal Almost: Most everyone agrees.
Idiom:
at (the) most
At the maximum: We saw him for ten minutes at the most. She ran two miles at most.
P.S. Using the first definition, 75% is greater than 25%.