1. it is by far the best dictionary.
2. It is far and away the best dictionary.
3. it is far the best dictionary.
4. it is a lot the best dictionary
(Which ones are correct? Do you have more expressions which can be used before the superlative degree?)
1 and 2 are correct. You can also say - It is the verb best dictionary. However, when using the superlative, it is not necessary to use other words. You can't get any better than best.
"very" instead of "verb" -- right?
Out of the four expressions you've provided, the correct one is:
2. It is far and away the best dictionary.
This expression emphasizes that the dictionary stands head and shoulders above all others.
The other expressions:
1. it is by far the best dictionary.
This expression also conveys that the dictionary is the best, but it doesn't have the same intensity as the previous expression. "By far" means that it surpasses all others by a significant margin.
3. it is far the best dictionary.
This expression is not grammatically correct. It seems to be missing the word "and" between "far" and "the," making the phrase incomplete.
4. it is a lot the best dictionary.
This expression is also not grammatically correct. "A lot" is not suitable for describing the degree of something being the best. Instead, "far" or "by far" are commonly used.
Here are a few more expressions that can be used before the superlative degree:
- Easily: It is easily the best dictionary.
- Undoubtedly: It is undoubtedly the best dictionary.
- Hands down: It is hands down the best dictionary.
- Without question: It is without question the best dictionary.
- Unquestionably: It is unquestionably the best dictionary.
These expressions indicate certainty and emphasize that there is no doubt about the item being the best in its category.