Superlatives

Superlative adjectives are adjectives we use to compare three or more people, things, or places and show that one has the highest or lowest degree of a quality.

There are three types of adjectives when making superlatives:

1. One-syllable adjectives and two-syllable adjectives ending in "y"

In order to make the superlative forms of these adjectives, we add the suffix "-est" to the adjective.

Examples:

tall + esttallest

happy + esthappiest

With one-syllable adjectives that end in a "consonant-vowel-consonant" (CVC) pattern, such as "big", we double the final consonant before adding "-est" to form the superlative, except for adjectives ending in "-y", "-w" or "-x" (e.g. slowest, shyest).

Examples:

big + estbiggest

hot + esthottest

If a one-syllable adjective ends in "-e", we add "-st" to form the superlative.

Examples:

fine + estfinest

nice + estnicest

With two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" and one-syllable adjectives ending in a consonant + "y", we change the final "y" to "i" before adding "-est" to form the superlative (e.g. happiest).

Examples:

easy + esteasiest

dry + estdriest

2.Two-syllable and longer adjectives

For most adjectives with two (except those ending in "y") or more syllables, we use: "most" + adjective.

Examples:

modernmost modern

beautifulmost beautiful

3.Irregular adjectives

Some adjectives have completely different superlative forms.

Examples:

goodbest

badworst

farfarthest / furthest

littleleast

We usually put either "the" or a possessive adjective (e.g. my, your, her ...) before a superlative structure.

Examples:

She is the tallest student in the class.

This is my best friend.

The superlative form of adjectives ending in "-ed" is made with "most".

Example:

This is the most crowded street in the city.

The superlative form of adverbs ending in "ly" is made with "most".

Example:

He speaks English most fluently in our class.

We can use least + adjective as the opposite of most + adjective.

Example:

This is the least expensive hotel in the city.

After a superlative structure, we use "in" before a place or a singular noun referring to a group.

Examples:

This is the best restaurant in the city.

She is the tallest student in the class.

After a superlative structure, we use "of" before a plural noun referring to a group.

Examples:

He is the youngest of the three brothers.

She is the tallest of all the students.

Superlatives can be used with a Present Perfect verb and "ever".

Example:

This is the most delicious pasta I've ever had.

Exercises

Choose the correct expression typed in italics.

1.Mount Everest is highest / the highest mountain in the world.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

2.This is the funniest / funnyest film I've ever seen.

This is the funniest film I've ever seen.

3.Today is the hottest / hotest day of the year.

Today is the hottest day of the year.

4.This is the modernest / most modern building in the city.

This is the most modern building in the city.

5.She's the worst / baddest teacher I've ever had.

She's the worst teacher I've ever had.

6.This is the most little / least money I've ever spent on a meal.

This is the least money I've ever spent on a meal.

7.Jack is the youngest of / in the four brothers.

Jack is the youngest of the four brothers.

8.This is the oldest building in / of the village.

This is the oldest building in the village.