the most powerful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the most powerful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an object or person that has the most power or strength in a given area or situation. For example, "The most powerful computer processor on the market is the Intel Core i9-9900K."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most powerful constitutional power was imperium.

Wikipedia

What's the most powerful?' ".

The New York Times

The most powerful was "How".

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the most powerful are fallible.

The New York Times - Books

Stéphane Mbia was the most powerful.

Independent

"Those are the most powerful moments".

The New York Times

"It is the most powerful unelected position.

The New York Times

The most powerful man in sports?

The New Yorker

Management: Guess Who's the Most Powerful?

The New York Times

The most powerful brasses?

The New York Times - Arts

The most powerful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the most powerful" to clearly indicate the entity with the greatest influence, authority, or capability in a specific context. Ensure the context is well-defined for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the most powerful" without providing sufficient context. Always specify what makes the subject powerful and in relation to what, to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the most powerful" functions primarily as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses the highest degree of power compared to others. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the most powerful" is a versatile superlative adjective phrase used to denote the highest degree of strength, influence, or authority. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the context in which the subject is considered the most powerful. While alternatives like "the strongest" or "the most influential" exist, they may carry subtly different connotations. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication. The abundant examples in Ludwig showcase the phrase's widespread applicability and contextual flexibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most influential

Highlights the capacity to affect character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

the strongest

Focuses on physical or literal strength rather than abstract power.

the unrivaled

Emphasizes that something has no equal in terms of power or ability.

the supreme

Implies ultimate authority or the highest position in a hierarchy.

the dominant

Suggests prevailing power or control over others.

the mightiest

Emphasizes grandeur and impressive power, often in a historical or epic context.

the unsurpassed

Suggests exceeding all others in degree or quality.

the preeminent

Focuses on surpassing all others in importance or excellence.

the most effective

Focuses on the capacity to produce a desired result or outcome.

the utmost

Highlights the peak level of something abstract or intangible.

FAQs

How can I use "the most powerful" in a sentence?

Use "the most powerful" to describe something with the greatest strength, influence, or capability. For example, "The senator is "the most powerful politician" in the state."

What are some alternatives to "the most powerful"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "the strongest", "the most influential", or "the dominant" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to specify what makes something "the most powerful"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source or area of power enhances clarity. For example, instead of saying "She is the most powerful", you might say "She is "the most powerful CEO" in the industry."

What's the difference between "the most powerful" and "very powerful"?

"The most powerful" indicates a superlative degree of power, suggesting it surpasses all others. "Very powerful" simply indicates a high degree of power, but not necessarily the highest. Think of it as "the most powerful" being number one, while "very powerful" is just in the top group.