"at longest / most" vs. "at the longest / most"

[Gaucho09]

Hi. I couldn't find anything after searching the site, so here's my question.

I'd like to know the differences (if any) between...

at X (e.g. "at longest" in: Don't take more than 10 minutes at longest.)

and

at the X (e.g. "at the longest" in: Don't take more than 10 minutes at the longest.)


Thanks.

 

[bibliolept]

Welcome, Gaucho.

I think that "at the longest" would sound more natural.

 

[Su1989]

For your sentence "at the X" is the better way to say it. "at X" sounds funny to the ear.

 

[Gaucho09]

Thanks for the input.

How about "at most" vs. "at the most"??

e.g. at most: The beach is ten miles away from here at most.

at the most: The beach is ten miles away from here at the most.

FYI, the above sentence for "at most" was taken from an online dictionary.


Feel free to use other words as well and include any grammatical or logical explanation.

 

[redgiant]

Thomas Tompion says "I usually say at least and at most at the start of sentences. I have a strange feeling I sometimes say at the most at the end of sentences. I don't think I say at the least.".

Is it really the only difference between at most and at the most?
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1651445