Expression "Worst of all" with article?

[Ben]

Test No. errors/inter-15 "Sleep well", question 2

It was worse of all in the winter as it was usually dark then.

(a) worse
(b) as
(c) then

Test No. errors/inter-15 "Sleep well", answer 2

It was worst of all in the winter as it was usually dark then.

Correct entry: worst
The error was: (a) worse
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Could you tell me why there is no "the" before worst?

Ben

[Torsten]

The expression worst of all comes with an article.

TOEIC listening, photographs: A florist

[Lost_Soul]

[Pamela]

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Pamela !

I asked because in the test there is no article before "worst".

[Yankee]

Hi LS

Sometimes superlatives are used without the definite article. Though I don't have any "official" references or research about this particular topic at hand, it seems to me that this most often happens with words such as most, best, least and worst. 8) But I'm sure it happens with other superlatives too.

I consider the use of 'the' in the test sentence to be optional.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

Hi Conchita

I also much prefer the test sentence without 'the', but wouldn't complain if 'the' were there.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Yankee]

Hi Conchita

It's me again. 8) Let me get your take on something else:

[Conchita]

I agree with you, Amy, except for the second example: the use of 'the' here would definitely grate on my ears.

[Conchita]

:idea:

This 'grating phenomenon' could be explained by the fact that 'most' here means 'very' (as I see it).

[Yankee]

That is interesting. I really can't say that the second one grates on my ears at all.

What about this sentence:
Of the brands on the market, we use Brand X the most often.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Yankee]

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

Did you see my added comment in my last post, Conchita? (Sorry, I added the last part after I posted.)
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln