The Differences Between Most of, The Most, Mostly, Almost, and Most

"Most of," "the most," "mostly," "almost," and "most" are often confused regarding their usage. Let’s explore the differences between them below!

I. What is Most?

Before we distinguish between most of, the most, mostly, almost, and most, let’s first understand what "most" is!

1. Definition and Role in a Sentence

"Most" is pronounced /moʊst/ and serves as a determiner, pronoun, adverb, and suffix, meaning the greatest in amount or degree, or nearly all:

Note: When there is no article, demonstrative pronoun, or possessive pronoun, we typically do not use "of."

• There hasn’t been much rain. Most rivers are below their normal levels. ➞ ✅

• There hasn’t been much rain. Most of rivers are below their normal levels. ➞ ❌

2. Most’s collocations

II. What is "Most of"?

"Most of" is a commonly used phrase in English that signals a predominant portion or majority within a group or collection. It serves to highlight that the referenced items or individuals make up a substantial part, often more than half, of the whole. This phrase is frequently applied to describe both tangible and abstract groupings, whether referring to physical objects, groups of people, or more abstract categories. Through this expression, speakers can effectively convey the idea that a significant or defining part of a set aligns with a particular quality or characteristic, allowing for clear communication about general tendencies or trends within a larger context.

In addition, we often see the phrase "make the most of something," which means to fully utilize or take advantage of a situation in order to gain benefits or satisfaction.

• I wanted to make the most of the time that we had together. 

• Your youth won't last forever - make the most of it!

III. What is "The Most"?

"The most" is a phrase in English used to denote the highest degree or the largest quantity within a group or list. It emphasizes that the subject in question surpasses others in terms of quantity, degree, or extent, making it the most prominent or outstanding element within the specified set. This expression allows for clear identification of the item or individual with the greatest or most notable attributes relative to others, highlighting a distinct characteristic that sets it apart.

Note:

• We can omit the noun in the second clause when it has already been mentioned in the first clause. For example: Richard didn’t tell the best jokes but he told the most. (the most jokes).

• DO NOT use the phrase “the most” in the following case:

  • The sun shines over 800 hours during June, July and August and on most days temperatures rise above 25 degrees. ➞ ✅

  • The sun shines over 800 hours during June, July and August and on the most days temperatures rise above 25 degrees. ➞ ❌

IV. What is Mostly?

"Mostly" is pronounced /ˈmoʊst.li/ and functions as an adverb, meaning for the most part, mainly, or predominantly. It is used to indicate that something occurs or is true in the majority of cases or to a large extent. This adverb can modify verbs, adjectives, or clauses, helping to clarify that a particular aspect or quality is dominant, though not necessarily exclusive, within a given context.

• I mostly eat vegetables and fruits. 

• The audience was mostly young people. 

Note:

• DO NOT use "mostly" as a substitute for "most" and "the most" in sentences. For example:

  • Which beaches did you like (the) most? 

  • We mostly stayed on the El Nido beach. 

V. What is Almost?

"Almost" is pronounced /ˈɑːl.moʊst/ and functions as an adverb, meaning nearly or virtually. It is used to indicate that something is close to being the case but is not completely so. This adverb helps convey proximity to a certain state or outcome, suggesting that only a slight difference exists between what is described and what is actual. It adds nuance by expressing that something is on the verge of happening or being true without fully reaching that point.

• Anna almost finished her homework. 

• It is almost impossible to solve this puzzle. 

1. Almost’s synonyms

2. Almost’s idioms

VI. Distinguishing Most of, The Most, Mostly, Almost, and Most

Let’s explore the differences between "Most of," "The most," "Mostly," "Almost," and "Most" below!

VII. Exercises to Distinguish Most of, The Most, Mostly, Almost, and Most

To better understand the differences between Most of, The most, Mostly, Almost, and Most, let’s complete the exercises below with PREP!

1. Exercise: Choose the correct answer

1. _______ the apples in the basket are ripe.

   1. Most of

   2. Most

   3. Mostly

2. _______ the time, he prefers to work alone.

   1. ost of

   2. t

   3. Srtrstrt

   4. he most

   5. Almost

3. Anna received _______ votes in the election.

   1. Mostly

   2. the most

   3. Most of

4. This restaurant is known for having _______ delicious pizza in town.

   1. Most

   2. the most

   3. Mostly

5. The audience was _______ teenagers.

   1. Almost

   2. The most

   3. Mostly

6. It's _______ sunny today, with just a few clouds.

   1. Most of

   2. The most

   3. Mostly

7. Sarah _______ missed her flight.

   1. almost 

   2. Most of

   3. The most

8. It's _______ midnight.

   1. The most

   2. almost 

   3. Most of

9. _______ people agree that exercise is important.

   1. The most

   2. almost 

   3. Most

10. John spent _______ his money on books.

    1. Most of

    2. The most

    3. Mostly

2. Answer keys

In this article, PREP has shared with you the concepts, usages, and differences between Most of, The most, Mostly, Almost, and Most. Be sure to follow PREP regularly to stay updated with more valuable English knowledge!