Superlatives

Basic notes about superlative:

Superlatives are forms of adjectives used to compare one thing to all other things to show its upper or lower quality. There are two types of superlatives: regular and irregular. To form regular superlatives, we apply specific rules (see below). For irregular superlatives, there is no rule to apply. We have to learn/remember them.

A/ Regular superlatives

1. Short adjectives (one-syllable adjectives)

The following tables show how superlatives of short adjectives are formed

Remarks

1. Superlative = adjective+st

            If the adjective is short and ends in “e”, we add just “st”.

Examples:

• Jane is the nicest student in our neighborhood. (nice → nicest)
• This is the largest classroom in the school. (large → largest)

2. Superlative = adjective+est.

            If the adjective is short and ends in a consonant, we add “est”.

Examples:

• Badr is the oldest son in the family. (old → oldest)
• To my knowledge, cherries are the smallest fruits. (small → smallest)

3. Superlative = adj-iest

             If the adjective is short and ends in “y”, we change “y” into “I” and add “est”.

Examples:

• Najoua is the laziest in our class. (lazy → craziest)
• Harriette is the clumsiest woman I know. (clumsy → clumsiest)

2. Long adjectives (adjectives with more than one syllable)

Remark

Superlative = the most + long adjective

To form the superlative of a long adjective, we put “the most” before the adjective.

Examples:

• Rolls Royce is the most expensive car.
• The lion is the most dangerous animal.
• For me, Chinese is the most difficult language.

The following table shows how superlatives of long adjectives are formed.

B/ Irregular superlatives

Remark:

There is no rule to apply to form irregular superlatives.

Examples:

1. For me, Mercedes is the best car.  (good → the best)
2. 02/20 is the worst mark I have ever got at maths. (bed → the worst)

Exercises

A/ Complete the sentences using the correct superlative form:

1. Mount Everest is _______ (high) mountain in the world.
2. Mercury is _______ (close) planet to the Sun.
3. The blue whale is _______ (large) animal that has ever existed.
4. This is _______ (good) meal I’ve had in months.
5. That was _______ (bad) movie I’ve ever seen.

B/ Rewrite these sentences using superlatives:

1. No other city in the country is as expensive as New York. → (New York is…)
2. No student in the class runs faster than Maria. → (Maria is…)
3. No other book I’ve read was as interesting as this one. → (This is…)
4. No building in Europe is as old as this castle. → (This castle is…)
5. No month has fewer days than February. → (February is…)

C/ Find the errors in the following sentences and correct them:

1. This is most expensive car of the dealership.
2. She is the tallest of her two sisters.
3. This is the more interesting book I’ve ever read.
4. He is the elder student in our class.
5. This is the worse day of my life.

Answers:

Exercise 1:

1. the highest
2. the closest
3. the largest
4. the best
5. the worst

Exercise 2:

1. New York is the most expensive city in the country.
2. Maria is the fastest runner in the class.
3. This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
4. This castle is the oldest building in Europe.
5. February is the shortest month.

Exercise 3:

1. This is the most expensive car in the dealership.
2. She is the taller of her two sisters. (Use comparative for two items)
3. This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
4. He is the oldest student in our class.
5. This is the worst day of my life.