USAGE OF MOST / MOST OF

Most

Most is the superlative of much and many.

• Most people enjoy watching a good movie.

When most has the superlative meaning, we use the before it.

• Those who have the most money are not always the happiest.
• He won the most votes in the election.

However, the can be dropped when most simply means the majority of.

• Most children love toys.
• Most people love children.

Before a pronoun, a geographical name or a noun with a determiner, we use most of.

• We had done most of the work before lunchtime.
• Most of my friends live abroad.
• Most of us don't own cars.
• Most of Egypt is barren.
• She does most of her writing at home.

We use most before a noun or a noun phrase without a determiner.

• Most children love chocolates.
• Most people enjoy watching a good movie.
• He won the most seats in the election.

Points to be noted

- Use most to refer to a quantity of an unspecific group.  We use most when we are speaking in general and do not have a specific group of people or things in mind.
             Most students ask questions.

-  Use most of the X to refer to a quantity of a specific group.  Note the expression includes a phrase defining the number to a specific group.

           Most of the students in my English class ask questions.
(most - specific to those who are in my English class)
 
-  Most is the superlative of much. In comparisons when most has a superlative meaning we normally use it with the.

• This is the most expensive suit I have ever bought.
• This is the most difficult phase in my life.

However, the can be dropped when there is no idea of comparison.

• Most people enjoy watching a good movie. FROM:http://www.perfectyourenglish.com