Superlatives in English Grammar Lesson
In this lesson learners are going to learn the meaning and use of Superlatives. This lesson could help you with what does superlatives in English Grammar means and expound you knowledge with helpful exercises.
A superlative adjective is an adjective in the extreme comparison.
Superlative adjectives allow the writer to take the comparison of nouns to the highest or lowest limits of the quality being compared, e.g., best, worst, etc.
Watch the superlatives in English Grammar full video here:
Use of superlative adjectives in English:
We use superlative adjectives to compare 1 thing in a group with all of the other things in the group.
Jupiter is the biggest planet in solar system.
We use the “the” before the superlative adjective because we are referring to one person or thing.
How to modify a superlative 1
“one of the” + superlative + plural noun
Singapore is one of the richest countries in South East Asia.
Meaning: There are several very rich countries in South East Asia and Singapore is one of those countries.
“some of the” + superlative + plural noun
Hongkong, Singapore and Malaysia are some of the most expensive countries in South East Asia.
Meaning: There are several very expensive countries in South East Asia. Hongkong, Singapore and Malaysia are some of those countries.
How to modify a superlative 2
We can modify a superlative with an ordinal number Cardinal number Ordinal number
1 one first
2 two second
3 three third
4 four fourth
5 five fifth
Jupiter is the biggest planet in solar system.
“the” + ordinal number + superlative
Saturn is the second biggest planet in the solar system.
Uranus is the third largest planet in the solar system.
How to modify a superlative 3
We can also replace “the” with a possessive:
possessive + adjective
Roger Federer is my best idol in tennis sport.
Chemistry is her worst exam.
Chemistry is Jenny’s worst exam.
Form: One – syllable adjective 1
For most one- syllable adjectives; we add -est.
adjective superlative
hard hardest
tall tallest
small smallest
short shortest
Robert is the shortest boy in class.
Form: One – syllable adjectives 2
For one – syllable adjectives ending in “e”, we add -st.
adjective superlative
nice nicest
fine finest
rare rarest
I have the rarest news for you.
Form: One – syllable adjectives 3
For one – syllable adjectives ending in a consonant, vowel consonant;
We double the last consonant and add -est.
adjective superlative
big biggest
fat fattest
hot hottest
thin thinnest
Thailand is the hottest country in South East Asia.
Form: Two – syllable adjectives 1
For most two – syllable adjectives; we use “most” + adjective
adjective superlative
careful most careful
famous most famous
peaceful most peaceful
pleasant most pleasant
useful most useful
Leona Lewis was the most famous contestant during her season.
Form: Two – syllable adjectives 2
Two – syllable adjectives ending in “y”; we change the “y” to “I” and add — est.
adjective superlative
busy busiest
easy easiest
happy happiest
funny funniest
Saturday is the busiest day of the week for shopping.
Form: Two – syllable adjectives 3
Two – syllable adjectives ending in “er”, “le” or “ow”, we usually add -est.
adjective superlative
clever cleverest
gentle gentlest
narrow narrowest
John is the cleverest boy in class.
Form: Longer adjectives
Adjectives with 3 or more syllables; we always use “most” + adjective.
adjective superlative
complicated most complicated
enjoyable most enjoyable
interesting most interesting
This was the most interesting tennis match that I have ever watched.
Form: Irregular superlative adjectives
Some superlative adjectives are irregular:
adjective superlative
good best
bad worst
Mr. Smith is the best Physics teacher I’ve ever had.
It was a worst experienced when I didn’t catch my flight.
Downloadable Material
Here’s the downloadable material of Tutorial on Superlatives Use and Meaning In English Grammar here.
For more readings
- Comparative Adjectives – English Grammar Lesson
- Adjectives in English Grammar – Position in a Sentence
- Reflexive Pronouns and Intensive Pronouns in English
- Adjectives Ending in ING and ED | Participle Adjectives
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