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Superlatives

A superlative adjective is a word we use to show that something or somebody is the most or least of a quality in a group, for example: the tallest, the smallest, the fastest.

There are three groups of adjectives:

One-syllable adjectives, and two-syllable adjectives that end in "-y"
Examples:

tall + esttallest

fine + estfinest

big + estbiggest

happy + esthappiest

In one-syllable adjectives that end with a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, such as "big", we double the final consonant before adding "-est" to form the superlative.

In one-syllable and two-syllable adjectives that end in "y", such as "happy", we change the final "y" to "i" before adding "-est" to form the superlative.

Two-syllable and longer adjectives
Examples:

most + modernmost modern

most + expensivemost expensive

Irregular adjectives
Examples:

goodbest

badworst

littleleast

farfarthest / furthest

We usually use the article "the", or a possessive adjective (my, your, her ...) before a superlative structure.

Examples:

She's my best friend.

This is themost delicious meal I've ever had.

Exercises

Use the words in each prompt to write a superlative sentence.

1.The Great Wall of China / long wall / in the world

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world.

2.The Amazon / large rainforest / in the world

The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world.

3.Antarctica / cold continent / on the planet

Antarctica is the coldest continent on the planet.

4.The Eiffel Tower / famous landmark / in Paris

The Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in Paris.

5.Australia / small continent / in the world

Australia is the smallest continent in the world.

6.Everest / high mountain / in the world

Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

7.Shanghai / populated city / in the world

Shanghai is the most populated city in the world.