# Grammar: “the most basic OF network security rules” vs. “the most basic network security rules” **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 29, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805 "2015-04-29T13:20:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Melia\_Antiqua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/1 "2015-04-29T13:20:32Z")
Version 1: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow the most basic of network security rules!” Version 2: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow the most basic network security rules!” In Version 1, the preposition “of” is interposed between the superlative form of an adjective (the most basic) and a plural noun (network security rules). On the other hand, Version 2 does not include “of” in between. I have always wondered how merely adding “of” like this changes the meaning of a sentence? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/2 "2015-04-29T13:31:02Z")
Off the top of my head, I think the main difference is that Version 1 allows for the interpretation that you could be talking about a single rule. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/3 "2015-04-30T16:27:18Z")
I’d assume the first passage was about following the **one most basic rule** out of a collection of network security rules. The second passage is about following multiple basic rules. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/4 "2015-04-30T16:45:59Z")
There’s a difference here (at least in my head) depending on where the emphasis is (in speech) Version 1: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow the most _basic_ of network security rules!” Version 1a: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow _the_ most basic of network security rules!” Version 1 seems like it could encompass more than one rule, whereas Version 1a doesn’t. Might be just me though. ---
**Author:** ![Melia\_Antiqua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/5 "2015-04-30T19:45:25Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > There’s a difference here (at least in my head) depending on where the emphasis is (in speech) > > Version 1: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow the most _basic_ of network security rules!” > > Version 1a: “You are making the job harder for us in the IT department every time you fail to follow _the_ most basic of network security rules!” > > Version 1 seems like it could encompass more than one rule, whereas Version 1a doesn’t. Might be just me though. A nuance of meaning, depending on the vocal stress – I hadn’t thought of that. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/6 "2015-04-30T20:02:44Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Off the top of my head, I think the main difference is that Version 1 allows for the interpretation that you could be talking about a single rule. I was about to say the sentences were identical, but **Thudlow Boink** convinced me otherwise. I cosign his post. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/7 "2015-04-30T20:14:57Z")
> [@Melia\_Antiqua](#): > > A nuance of meaning, depending on the vocal stress – I hadn’t thought of that. :eek: Do you mind if I ask why you are asking these - in my opinion, rather interesting - questions about nuances in English? I get the impression you might be a non-native speaker who is very fluent, but is keen to dig deeper. Feel free to tell me I’m wrong/mind my own business etc 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Melia\_Antiqua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-the-most-basic-of-network-security-rules-vs-the-most-basic-network-security-rules/718805/8 "2015-04-30T21:09:37Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Do you mind if I ask why you are asking these - in my opinion, rather interesting - questions about nuances in English? I get the impression you might be a non-native speaker who is very fluent, but is keen to dig deeper. Feel free to tell me I’m wrong/mind my own business etc 😃 Not at all. Yes, precisely. English is my second language. I’m keen to delve into shades of meaning as well as many and various differences between BrE and AmE. I come across similar sentences like the following now and again, so I’ve posted this “Superlative + OF” question, hoping to nail the nuances. 🙂 1. “Now, I warn you this isn’t the cleanest of work, but your efforts will be well compensated.” 2. “Our firewall has been designed to withstand even the most persistent of outside attacks.” 3. “Even with everything that’s happened, I doubt that humans and dragons will suddenly become the best of friends.”