Superlative


Definition: The superlative is the form of an adjective or adverb that shows which thing has that quality above or below the level of the others. There must be three or more to use the superlative.

For example:

  • Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

Forming the superlative

Form Rule For example
Words of one syllable ending in "e".
Add -st to the end of the word.

wide - widest
Words of one syllable, with one vowel and one consonant at the end. Double the consonant and add -est to the end of the word.

big - biggest

Words of one syllable, with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end. Add -est to the end of the word. high - highest
Words of two syllables, ending in "y". Change "y" to "i", and add -est to the end of the word. happy - happiest
Words of two syllables or more, not ending in "y". Place "the most" before the adjective. beautiful - the most beautiful

Some superlatives have irregular forms:

Positive

Superlative

Adjectives:

  

good

best

well

best

bad

worst

far

farthest/furthest

little

least

many

most

much

most

some

most

Adverbs:

  

badly

worst

ill

worst

well

best

Note: "the" is almost always used before the superlative adjectives.

Examples:

  • Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
  • It is the most expensive restaurant I've ever been to.
  • Jill is the best student in the class.
  • Jack is the worst student in the class.
  • In our solar system the planet Pluto is the furthest planet from the Sun.
  • The black dog is the biggest.
  • The house at the end of the street is the nicest.

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