a tallest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tallest" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is incorrect because "tallest" is a superlative adjective and should not be preceded by "a." Example: "He is the tallest player on the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The economics are not stopping developers all over the world from vying for a "tallest" regional title (such as the "tallest building in Modesto, Calif")., or a "tallest" title for a building type (such as the "tallest residential building," as opposed to the "tallest mixed-use building").

Forbes

A singular proposition is directly about an individual whereas a particularized proposition is indirectly about an individual in virtue of that object satisfying a condition that is a constituent of the proposition — in our cases, the conditions 'x uniquely invented bifocals' and 'x is a tallest spy'.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I had won a tallest-midget contest with Anna, nothing more.

The New York Times - Magazine

A tall order.

Forbes

He was a tall man.

The New Yorker

That is a tall order.

The New York Times

It is a tall order.

The New York Times

"It's a tall order.

The New York Times - Sports

"Give me a tall latte".

The Economist

It was a tall order.

The New York Times

It seems a tall order.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a tallest" in formal writing. Always use "the tallest" or a similar construction to correctly indicate the superlative.

Common error

Don't precede superlative adjectives like "tallest", "smallest", or "best" with the indefinite article "a" or "an". Superlatives already indicate a unique position, so the definite article "the" is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tallest" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, noting that the superlative adjective 'tallest' should typically be preceded by the definite article 'the'. Examples of correct usage include "the tallest building" or "one of the tallest trees."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tallest" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that the superlative adjective 'tallest' requires the definite article 'the', not the indefinite article 'a'. While some examples can be found, they are typically in informal contexts or may represent errors. When you need to convey the meaning of "a tallest", it's best to use the correct form "the tallest", or alternative phrases like "one of the tallest" or "among the tallest". Always remember proper grammar in formal writing or speech to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the tallest

Replaces the indefinite article with the definite article to correctly indicate the superlative.

one of the tallest

Specifies that the subject is among the tallest, rather than uniquely the tallest.

among the tallest

Similar to 'one of the tallest', indicating inclusion within a group of the tallest.

the highest

Uses a different adjective synonymous with 'tallest' in terms of rank or elevation.

the most elevated

Similar to 'the highest', emphasizes elevation rather than physical height.

a very tall

Uses the adjective "tall" preceded by "a very" as an intensifier.

an exceptionally tall

Replaces "very" with "exceptionally" to emphasize how tall is something or someone.

the supreme

Emphasizes overall superiority, not necessarily in height, but in rank or quality.

the foremost

Indicates the leading or most prominent position, applicable in contexts beyond just physical height.

a towering

Uses "towering" as an adjective to suggest great height or imposing stature.

FAQs

Why is "a tallest" grammatically incorrect?

Superlative adjectives like "tallest" already imply a unique, highest degree, so they should be preceded by the definite article 'the', not the indefinite article 'a'. The correct form is "the tallest".

What are some alternatives to "a tallest"?

Instead of "a tallest", you can use phrases like "the tallest", "one of the tallest", or "among the tallest" to express the concept of being the highest in stature.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "a tallest"?

While grammatically incorrect, you might occasionally find "a tallest" in informal contexts or creative writing where strict grammatical rules are sometimes relaxed. However, it is best to avoid this usage in formal writing.

How does using "a tallest" change the meaning compared to "the tallest"?

"A tallest" incorrectly suggests that there are multiple 'tallest' entities, which contradicts the definition of a superlative. "The tallest" correctly identifies the single, most elevated item or person within a group.