Superlative adjectives are an essential part of Englishgrammar. They are used to describe the highest degree of quality or characteristic. For example, the superlative form of tall would be tallest. Knowing how to correctly use and form superlative adjectives is an important skill to have when writing in English.
Superlative Adjectives
What Is A Superlative Adjective?
Superlativeadjectives有限公司mpare the highest or lowest degree of quality. They are formed by adding “-est” or “most” or “least” to the regular form of an adjective. Using them in conversation and writing can make our communication more precise.
Forming Superlative Adjectives
The formation of superlative adjectives depends on the number of syllables in the adjective.
One-syllable adjectives simply require the addition of -est, such as in small becoming smallest.
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -ly require the same treatment, such as in friendly becoming friendliest. However, two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y or -ly require either ‘most’ or ‘least’ before them, for example beautiful becomes most beautiful or least beautiful depending on what is being described.
Some words also often have irregular forms that don’t follow these rules, such as good which becomes best not *goodest and bad which becomes worst not *baddest. Learn how to form superlatives in English with examples.
One-syllable Adjectives
1.形成一个单音节的最高级形式的广告jective by adding–est.
Examples:
- long –longest
- tall –tallest
2. If the one-syllable adjective ends with ane, just add–stfor the superlative form.
Examples:
- cute – cutest
- large – largest
3. Add–estto adjectives that end in consonant-vowel-consonant and double the last consonant.
Examples:
- big –biggest
- hot–hottest
Two-syllable Adjectives
1.With most的中文名adjectives, you form the superlative withmost.
Examples:
- honest –mosthonest
- famous –mostfamous
2. If the two-syllable adjectives ends with–y, change theytoiand add–estfor the superlative form.
Examples:
- happy–happiest
- crazy –craziest
3. Two-syllable adjectives ending in–er,–le, or–owtake–estto form the superlative forms.
Examples:
- narrow – narrowest
- gentle – gentlest
Adjectives with Three or More Syllables
Addmostto adjectives that has 3 or more syllables.
Superlative Examples:
- expensive–mostexpensive
- difficult–mostdifficult
Irregular Adjectives
- good – best
- bad – worst
- far – farthest
- little – least
- many – most
How to Use Superlative Adjectives Correctly
Using Superlative Adjectives Correctly
Superlatives are used to compare three or more things. When using a superlative with just one item being compared against others it isn’t grammatically correct to use any preposition, but it is common to see some people write sentences like Sarah is better than anyone else; instead, this should be Sarah is the best (not simply best) as this is grammatically correct according to the rules for English grammar and usage.
Superlatives can also be used with “of” phrases but they can often come off as overly formal and so should be used judiciously within communication between peers and colleagues unless specifically required for a more formal piece of writing, such as in an academic essay.
Common Mistakes with Superlative Adjectives
It is very easy to make mistakes with superlative adjectives by overusing them
- Constantly using phrases like farthest away, etc., have a tendency to sound contrived
- Or usingdouble superlatives– greatest ever professional performance – which doesn’t seem natural (instead replace with something like extraordinary).
Additionally, some words have special uses for their superlatives such as ‘best’ being used for both excellent AND lucky e.g “That was his best find!”
And finally, many people mix up有限公司mparativesand superlatives although they each hold different meanings; comparatives indicate comparison while superlatives represent extremities i.e Comparators: faster vs Fastest (fastest means quickest).
Related:Mastering Comparative Adjectives in English with Examples
Examples of Superlative Adjectives
Examples of Superlative Adjectives in Context
Here are some examples of superlative adjectives being used in sentences:
- Shania Twain is the funniest comedian I’ve ever seen.
- Paris has been voted the most beautiful city in the world.
- This pizza shop serves the best pizza in town!
- I’m the tallest person in my class.
- My brother is the fastest swimmer on our team.
- That restaurant has the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted!
最高级前amples
List of affirmative and superlative adjectives in English.
| Examples of Superlative Adjectives | |
| Affirmative | Superlative |
| slow | slowest |
| fast | fastest |
| cheap | cheapest |
| clear | clearest |
| loud | loudest |
| new | newest |
| rich | richest |
| short | shortest |
| thick | thickest |
| old | oldest |
| tall | tallest |
| large | largest |
| wide | widest |
| wise | wisest |
| nice | nicest |
| big | biggest |
| fat | fattest |
| fit | fittest |
| polite | most polite |
| helpful | most helpful |
| useful | most useful |
| obscure | most obscure |
| hungry | hungriest |
| happy | happiest |
| pretty | prettiest |
| heavy | heaviest |
| angry | angriest |
| dirty | dirtiest |
| funny | funniest |
| narrow | narrowest |
| shallow | shallowest |
| humble | humblest |
| gentle | gentlest |
| clever | cleverest |
| interesting | most interesting |
| 有限公司mfortable | most comfortable |
| beautiful | most beautiful |
| difficult | most difficult |
| dangerous | most dangerous |
| expensive | most expensive |
| popular | most popular |
| 有限公司mplicated | most complicated |
| 有限公司nfident | most confident |
| good | best |
| bad | worst |
| far | farthest |
| little | least |
| much/many | most |
Forming Superlative Adjectives |Images
Superlative Adjectives: Definition & Examples
Last Updated on March 14, 2023
Sub to pediepie
U SUCK
U ARE DUMB
5yr olds
Hello. This is great! Just one question though, with the adjective words “new” and “cheap”, I learned that the one-syllable rule applies for them. However, if you notice these two words can also be applied with the “vowel-consonant-ending” rule (that is: che-A-P, n-E-W). But if you actually do that, it becomes a mispelling in the dictionary (or even in MS word). Does anyone why these 2 words are an exception? Or are there any word exemptions besides these two?
Thanks in advance for any reply!
thaks