Can one answer to a question be the "best"?
Hello Friends, we are all trying to learn genuine Spanish and English. So let’s do that with some sincere and deliberate thinking. Let us think: (1) If you post a question and get one answer only, should you mark that as the “best?” I think not. This is because the one answer is the only answer; therefore, it has nothing to compare it with. So you will not be using genuinely correct language by marking it as the "best." (2) If you get two answers, then one of them is better than the other. (3) If you get three answers, then one of them is better and one is best. Since we don’t have the option to mark as better, I suggest that the best answer should be marked after at least two answers to your question have been posted. (For those who don’t understand what this is all about, the “best” answer is chosen by the person who posts a question. There’s the option to do that under the answers others post. Once you mark it, the “best” answer is highlighted with a charming green color! And is placed right under your question!) Please express your opinions. Thanks! Gracias!
11 Answers
I think that being marked as 'the best' does not make a question unbeatable in terms of competition or quality of its content.
I agree, reward feels good: points and charming color. But in the end, threads will not be HOT anymore and they will become a source of consult for people that have the same doubt.
When I am reading a question answered months ago, I read the green-colored one and (always) the following. And 'the best one' is not always the answer I am looking for. Reading more than one point of view makes me understand better.
That's why I think that people who do questions are free to mark an answer as 'the best' as soon as they feel satisfied and their doubt is fully resolved. And answerers should think in perspective and contribute if they think that they have valuable information to add or simply another point of view.
[Feel free to correct my English, please]
¡Saludos!
I'm sorry to say I disagree. If you only get one answer, that means someone has taken the time to answer your question where other people have not. That person should be rewarded for using up their valuable time to help you. Whether you like their answer or not, I think it's only right to reward them. This is probably not a popular idea, but no matter, it's mine and I'm sticking to it 
Yes, only one answer can be marked the best. If only one person answers your question and after 2 or more days no one else does it is probably because it could not be answered better and there for making it the best. Do not only look at the number of answers but at the number of views, opportunites to answer.
Like Margherite stated it a form of thanking someone more than just a vote. It is a type of propina.
You can have the best without having good and better. There is no difference between good, better, best and best, worse, worst except the point of view. So do you really need to wait for worse and worst answers to mark someone the best?
Also, best is very subjective to opinion. So do not worry about it too much.
I agree with Margherite. Maybe a question like this one would need 5 or 10 replies to choose the "best" one. And you, as the poster, can use whatever judgement you choose to select the "best".
But if I ask a question, and with only one reply, my question is thoroughly answered, I will definitely reward that person with 30 points (a vote, and the best answer).
I will answer questions that have been marked as "Best Answer" if I have something to add. Maybe a different perspective or a clarification.
Remember also, that you can "unmark" the best answer and select another if you get a better answer later on.
Atxeko makes an excellent point:
And 'the best one' is not always the answer I am looking for.
And sometimes the answer colored in green can even be incorrect unbeknownst to the person asking the question, so those who want to answer but don´t because of the "green" should give their opinion anyway. For this reason I think "Accepted Answer" is a more appropriate term than "Best."
Unfortunately, human nature will always create a popularity contest from any voting situation, but anyone who asks for clarification after making an attempt - regardless of popularity - should receive a vote.
Of course one answer can be the best answer. The question how is the person asking the question supposed to know that?
Someone with more knowledge of the language can often immediately tell if an answer is the correct and/or the best. The lesser experienced person can't always make that determination.
There is no difference between good, better, best and best, worse, worst except the point of view.
So not true. Not all answers are alike. Some people give good (correct) answers, some give bad (meaning wrong or slightly inaccurate) or don't provide sufficient detail. Others go the extra mile.
I can answer a question and provide the correct information, but if someone else comes along and provides more detail, examples, and provide links to more information, isn't that answer going to be considered better?
Anyway, all that aside, if the person marking it as the best answer is happy, what else is there to say? It's just points, the real goal is to learn a language. If all the answers are there, everybody wins.
I have posted my first question today so will have decisions to make. Semantically it should be good, better best. However, if it is a straightforward question the first answer may cover it so why not 'reward' that first answer. I have asked a more general question and do not want to choose an answer until I have had the chance to read a selection. I am going to work on the basis if no new posting within 7 days I will choose one. Pity we cannot have a 'very helpful' answer category to be used if you receive more than 5 replies
Let me try to stir up some more thinking! If you mark an answer as "best" just to reward someone for taking the time and trouble, then you risk losing some more input from others. The next person who opens your question will see that charming green color. He will know that you have told him "The best answer is already there! You can't beat it!" Would he provide some more input? Probably not. However, please do as you feel. I respect the freedom of choice!
Well, in my first post, I was giving my thoughts on Rajaji's question about not giving the 'best answer' vote to the only answer. One is more valuable than none in most cases.
However, if the 'best answer' option wasn't available, it would eliminate this problem. Why do we have to choose a best answer anyway? Everybody's input has value and I concur that a question with a checkmark beside it could inhibit people from adding their two cents worth which might be invaluable and could possibly trump the answer already chosen as the best, but no one would ever see it.
I have chosen the best answer to my question. As I promised, it's not my own. (smiley) I have also thought again about how long the questioner should wait before choosing the best answer. I believe five days is a reasonably long wait. I call this The Rule of Hand. (One hand has five fingers; so make your choice after five days.)
On the other hand, it is not "a must" to choose the best answer. If you don't make a choice, then the answers are listed in the order of most votes received to least votes received.
It's all up to you what to do.
