1. Introduction to Superlatives
Superlative adjectives show the highest degree of a quality within a group. You use them to single out one item or person as having the greatest quality.
2. Forming Superlatives
-est Endings
For most one-syllable adjectives, add -est.
- clean → cleanest
- tall → tallest
- fast → fastest
- small → smallest
- short → shortest
- deep → deepest
- bright → brightest
- dark → darkest
- slow → slowest
Doubling Consonants
One-syllable adjectives ending in consonant–vowel–consonant (C-V-C) double the final consonant before adding -est.
- big → biggest
- hot → hottest
- fat → fattest
- sad → saddest
- wet → wettest
- dim → dimmest
- fit → fittest
- thin → thinnest
Adjectives Ending in –e
If an adjective ends in -e, just add -st.
- nice → nicest
- large → largest
- wide → widest
- cute → cutest
- close → closest
- fine → finest
- pure → purest
- safe → safest
Consonant + –y Ending
For adjectives ending in consonant + -y, change -y to -i and add -est.
- happy → happiest
- dry → driest
- easy → easiest
- busy → busiest
- noisy → noisiest
- lazy → laziest
- angry → angriest
- pretty → prettiest
- crazy → craziest
- shiny → shiniest
Using “most”
For adjectives of two or more syllables (and some two-syllable words), use most before the adjective.
- beautiful → (the) most beautiful
- expensive → most expensive
- difficult → most difficult
- popular → most popular
- interesting → most interesting
- comfortable → most comfortable
- dangerous → most dangerous
- useful → most useful
- creative → most creative
- delicious → most delicious
3. Spelling Rules and Exceptions
Key spelling rules to remember:
- Double final consonant in C-V-C words (e.g., big → biggest).
- Drop final
-eand add-st(nice → nicest). - Change
-yto-i+-est(happy → happiest). - Use most with longer adjectives (beautiful → most beautiful).
- Some adjectives are irregular—see next section.
4. Irregular Superlatives
These form superlatives unpredictably and must be memorized:
| Positive | Superlative |
|---|---|
| good | best |
| bad | worst |
| far | farthest / furthest |
| little | least |
| many / much | most |
| old | oldest / eldest |
5. Article and Sentence Structure
Always use the before a superlative adjective modifying a noun.
- Alice is the youngest student.
- This is the most expensive option.
- Placement:
- Before a noun: the tallest building
- After a linking verb: She is the tallest
- Omit “the” after possessives:
- That’s my best friend.
6. Comparisons with “of/in”
Use “of” or “in” to show the group or context:
- He’s the fastest runner in the team.
- Tokyo is the most populous city in Japan.
- She has the best score of all students.
- This is the highest peak in the range.
- He made the biggest mistake of his career.
7. Common Mistakes
- Mixing comparatives and superlatives: “more tall” vs “tallest.”
- Forgetting the before the superlative adjective.
- Applying regular rules to irregular adjectives.
- Using
-estwith long adjectives instead of most. - Misspelling when doubling consonants or changing
-y.
Exercises: Superlative adjectives
Exercise 1 – Choose the correct superlative form
1. tall
2. happy
3. dangerous
4. easy
5. good
Exercise 2 – Choose comparative or superlative to fit the sentence
1. Tom is ___ than John.
2. Mount Everest is ___ mountain in the world.
3. Emma is ___ in our family.
4. This puzzle is ___ than that one.
5. This is ___ book I’ve ever read.
Exercise 3 – Pick the correct superlative
1. This is ___ car on the lot.
2. This is ___ beach I know.
3. The elephant is ___ land animal.
4. This bakery makes ___ donuts in town.
5. Antarctica is ___ place on Earth.
Exercise 4 – Choose the correct superlative to complete the sentence
1. February is ___ month of the year.
2. This is ___ cake I’ve ever tasted.
3. She is ___ person in the village.
4. That star is ___ in the sky tonight.
5. That was ___ movie I have seen.
Exercise 5 – Choose the correct article: the, a or – (no article)
