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The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

A)_____ B)_____ C)_____

For me, it sounds like most should be eliminated in order for the sentence to be correct, since "criticism" is a singular in this sentence. If the sentence is "The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to which one of the criticisms?" then it would sound ok with the word most. Am I thinking incorrectly?

2 Answers 2

1

the reasoning is most vulnerable (which is among other hidden factors, like judging, concluding, etc). It's not the point whether "criticism" is singular or not.

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In this case, criticism is an uncounted noun; it refers to the act or process of criticism, rather than to a specific objection to the argument. It could also be phrased "Most vulnerable to attack" in the same way.

Most vulnerable in this context implies that the argument may be vulnerable to criticism in other ways, but this particular objection to it is the most obvious or the strongest.

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  • Is it ok to use the word "most" even if there are no other things to compare?
    – user198952
    Jul 21, 2017 at 12:20
  • Yes. Using most implies that other things are possible, but they do not have to be explicitly listed. I might say that a fire is most likely to start in the kitchen, without having to list other places it might start as well.
    – Werrf
    Jul 21, 2017 at 12:28

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