"the nastiest of men" vs "the nastiest man"

Question

"the nastiest of men" vs "the nastiest man"

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'The nastiest of men' implies that the person being referred to is the worst among a group of men, while 'the nastiest man' refers to a single man who is the worst. The choice between the two depends on whether you are comparing one man to others or simply describing one man as the worst.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

This phrase is used when comparing one man to others and emphasizing that he is the worst in terms of behavior or character.

Examples:

He was considered the nastiest of men, always causing trouble wherever he went.
Among the group of suspects, he was the nastiest of men.

Alternatives:

the worst of men
the most despicable of men
the vilest of men
the most unpleasant of men
the most repugnant of men

This phrase is used when describing a man as the worst in a particular context, without comparing him to other men.

Examples:

He was known as the nastiest man in the neighborhood.
She encountered the nastiest man she had ever met.

Alternatives:

the worst man
the most despicable man
the vilest man
the most unpleasant man
the most repugnant man

Answer 1

the nastiest of men

This phrase is correct and is commonly used in English to refer to the worst among a group of men.

Answer 2

the nastiest man

This phrase is correct and is commonly used in English to refer to a single man who is the worst in terms of behavior or character.

"the nastiest of men" vs "the nastiest man"

the nastiest of men

the nastiest man

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