In this lesson, we will explore superlatives, an essential part of English grammar used to describe the highest degree of a quality among three or more things. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use superlatives confidently in sentences.
What are Superlatives?
Superlatives are used to compare three or more people, places, or things and express the highest or lowest degree of a quality. They often answer questions like:
- “Which is the best?”
- “Who is the tallest?”
- “What is the most interesting?”
How to Form Superlatives
There are two main ways to form superlatives in English, depending on the type of adjective:
1. One-Syllable Adjectives
For one-syllable adjectives, add -est to the adjective.
| Adjective | Superlative Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | Tallest | He is the tallest in his class. |
| Fast | Fastest | This is the fastest car I have ever driven. |
| Small | Smallest | It’s the smallest phone available. |
Note: If the adjective ends in -e, just add -st (e.g., large → largest).
2. Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in -y
For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the -y to -i and add -est.
| Adjective | Superlative Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | Happiest | She is the happiest person I know. |
| Busy | Busiest | New York is the busiest city in the world. |
| Easy | Easiest | This is the easiest test I’ve taken. |
3. Longer Adjectives (Two or More Syllables)
For longer adjectives, use the most or the least before the adjective.
| Adjective | Superlative Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful | The most beautiful | This is the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen. |
| Interesting | The most interesting | It was the most interesting book I’ve read. |
| Expensive | The most expensive | That is the most expensive watch in the store. |
| Boring | The least boring | This movie is the least boring one we’ve watched. |
Irregular Superlatives
Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. Here are the most common ones:
| Adjective | Superlative Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Best | This is the best pizza I’ve ever had. |
| Bad | Worst | That was the worst experience of my life. |
| Far | Farthest/Furthest | This is the farthest I’ve ever traveled. |
Rules for Using Superlatives
- Use “The” Before Superlatives
- Superlatives are always preceded by the because they refer to a specific item or person.
- Example: She is the smartest student in the class.
- Compare Three or More Things
- Superlatives are only used when comparing three or more items.
- Incorrect: This is the better option.
- Correct: This is the best option.
- Add a Noun When Necessary
- You can add a noun after the superlative if needed.
- Example: He is the tallest boy in the group.
Practice Games
Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to form and use superlatives in English. Remember these key points:
- Add -est for one-syllable adjectives.
- Change -y to -i and add -est for two-syllable adjectives ending in -y.
- Use the most or the least for longer adjectives.
- Always use the before superlatives.
- Compare three or more things.