"I want everybody to come to the party, but I want James to come the most". The last part of the sentence "The most". Does it works as adverb of degree?
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Yes: a degree adjunct (your adverb). Note that the determinative "the" functions here as a modifier of "most".– BillJCommented Aug 14, 2022 at 7:31
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Yeah, it's effectively an adverb on "most". The usage is a hair non-formal, but common in the US.– Hot LicksCommented Aug 14, 2022 at 13:19
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How would this sound? I want all of them, but I want James the most. Seems perfectly normal to me. Want can take an infinitive complement, so it's no different with want James to come. The only problem might be the long distance between want and the most.– John LawlerCommented Aug 14, 2022 at 14:36
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A degree modifier in the VP "want James to come the most".– BillJCommented Aug 14, 2022 at 15:07
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1 Answer
the most is acting as a comparative adverb, a superlative adverb.
See
British Council
We make comparative and superlative adverbs using the same rules as for comparative and superlative adjectives. For example:
Jill works fast. > faster > fastest
When we intensify a superlative adverb, we often put "the" in front of the adverb:
In our office, Jill works by far the hardest
Of the three brothers, Brian easily runs the fastest.
Similarly in your text. "I want James to come/to come more/to come most/to come the most" compares the degree or intensity of wanting James rather than wanting others.
