Question

Given the comparative sentence: "Sanskrit is more ancient than any other language in the region."

What is its correct superlative form?

• A. Sanskrit is the most ancient language in the region.
• B. Sanskrit is a most ancient language in the region.
• C. Sanskrit is the more ancient language in the region.
• D. Sanskrit is most ancient than all languages in the region.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Sanskrit is the most ancient language in the region.

• Explanation: The comparative structure "more ancient than any other" clearly establishes Sanskrit at the top of its group. The correct superlative form uses "the most ancient" (article 'the' + superlative adjective) to state this highest degree definitively.

• Why the others are wrong:

  • (b) "a most ancient language": Using "a" instead of "the" changes the meaning. "A most ancient" means "a very ancient," not necessarily the most ancient. It's a different grammatical structure.

  • (c) "the more ancient": "More ancient" is the comparative degree, not the superlative. It requires a "than" clause (e.g., "more ancient than X"). It cannot be used with "the" to make a standalone superlative statement.

  • (d) "most ancient than": This mixes degrees incorrectly. "Most ancient" is the superlative and should be followed by a scope (e.g., "in the region"), not a "than" clause, which is used with comparatives.