Superlative adjectives
We use a superlative adjective to describe the
extreme quality of one thing in a group of things.
We can use superlative adjectives when talking
about three or more things (not two things).
In the example below, "biggest" is the superlative
form of the adjective "big":
AB
A is the biggest.
Formation of Superlative Adjectives
As with comparative adjectives, there are two ways
to form a superlative adjective:
Short adjectives: add -est"
Long adjectives: use "most"
We also usually add 'the' at the beginning.
Short adjectives:
1-syllable adjectives (old, fast)
- syllable adjectives ending in y (happy, easy)
RULE: add "-est"
old the oldest
Variation:
- if the adjective ends in -e, just add st.
large the largest
-
if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel,
consonant, double the last consonant.
big the biggest
if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to i
happy the happiest
Long adjectives:
-
2-syllable adjectives not ending in y (modern,
pleasant)
all adjectives of 3 or more syllables (expensive,
intelectual)
RULE: use "most"
Modern
the most modern
Expensive
the most expensive
With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use "-est" or
"most":
quiet the quietest / most quiet
clever the cleverest / most clever
narrow the narrowest / most narrow
simple the simplest / most simple
Exception
The following adjectives have irregular forms:
Good the best
Bad the worst
Far the farthest / furthest