比較表現（４）最上級の表現

Yoko is the most charming of all the girls that I have ever come across.

これは最上級を使った表現。比較級を使って同じことを表すと

Yoko is more charming than any other girl that I have ever come across.

になる。than any other の後は単数名詞になることに注意。各々と１つずつ比較して、より charming だと言っているわけだ。原級を使うこともできて、

Yoko is as charming as any (other) girl that I have ever come across.

こうなる。「どんな～にも劣らず」 という訳し方をすることが多いという。

他にもいろいろな表現がある。

Yoko is the most charming girl that I have ever come across.

I have never come across a more charming girl than Yoko.

No other girl (that I have ever come across) is more charming than Yoko.

I have never come across such a charming girl as Yoko.

I have never come across a girl as charming as Yoko.

Yoko is as charming a girl as I have ever come across.

No other girl (that I have ever come across) is as charming as Yoko.

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比較級 than any other と同じ内容を 「時」 に対して使って、「これまでのどの時代よりも」 と言う場合は、

Human life today is longer and helthier than ever (before) in the history of the world.

のように、than ever (before) を使う。