Quantitativev Adjective Pronoun Example Question

Question

Which of the following is a correct sentence?

A Diego le gusta las fiestas. El siempre es el último en salir.

A Diego le gusta las fiestas. El siempre es último en salir.

The difference between them is the el added before the quantitative adjective pronoun último. According to Dorothy Richmond in Spanish Pronouns and Prepositions on page 43, The quantitative adjective pronoun should not include el. I am confused.

Which and why is correct?

Answer 1

Neither one is correct.

It should be: "A Diego le gustan las fiestas. Él siempre es el último en salir.

Yes, and I almost mentioned about the Él, but thought it was off topic. - 0074b507, Jul 12, 2011

We really do love our native speakers! - territurtle, Jul 12, 2011

Q, "Él" is OK here because Diego is really being compared to the other people at parties - 005faa61, Jul 12, 2011

Answer 2

article on qualitative and quantative adjective pronouns

The article listed above discusses both types of adjective pronouns, and specifically lists último as a quantitative adjective pronoun. I only glanced over the article quickly but I saw no mention of a rule forbidding the use of definite articles with the quantitative adjective pronouns.

Of course, I can see where you wouldn't use one in this sentence:

A él le gusta el vestido rojo más que el verde (qualitative adjective pronoun), pero a mí me gustan ambos (quantitative adjective pronoun).

He likes the red dress more than the green one, but I like both. (of them)

In your two choices I like the first one the best:

A Diego le gusta las fiestas. El siempre es el último en salir.

He is always the last one to leave.

But I'm not a native and you should wait for one to give you his/her opinion.

Your question makes me wonder why I often see the quantitative adjective pronoun los dos (the two of them) used

I, too, have read the rule and wondered about "los dos." But I guess I just thought los dos must be an idiomatic expression? - territurtle, Jul 12, 2011