Uncountable nouns are usually used without an article. Superlatives require definite article. What comes out of these 2 rules when superlative meets uncountable article?
We need an example, I hope it is good:
This lake has clear water.
This lake has clearest water.
This lake has the clearest water.
When I searched the web I found both "clearest water" and "the clearest water".
I read on this site, that in informal speech the is frequently omitted, so let's concentrate on formal speech or writing. If there is Am/Br specific it would also be interesting. Please comment on the examples and in general. Thanks.
Best Answer
Superlatives describe a particular quality to the highest degree when compared to the same quality found elsewhere. So, we might say The water in the other two lakes is really quite clear, but I’d say this lake has the clearest water.
However, the superlative can also describe an absolute, with something like the sense of very. So we might also say Oh, look at that lake. Did you ever see anything like it? It has the clearest water.
In normal use, the definite article is part of the superlative form.