SUPERLATIVE

SUPERLATIVE

1. A superlative is a form of an adjective or an adverb used for comparison.

   • The superlative form of an adjective is used to show something has a quality to the greatest or least degree.
   • The superlative form of an adverb is used to show something has performed an action to the greatest or least degree.
   • 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
     • Superlatives are typically formed by adding –est to the end of the adjective or adverb that you are using the compare the items.
     • However, words with multiple syllables sometimes sound strange when you add –est. So, superlatives can also be formed by adding "most" in front of the adjective or adverb. Some superlative forms of adjectives or adverbs are irregular.
     • For example, the superlative form of good is "best."

2. How is the superlative formed in English?

   • The superlative is always preceded by the determined article: the fastest, the tallest, the most intelligent.
   • In the case of the adjectives of a syllable, we form the superlative by adding -est at the end: tall - tallest.
   • If the adjective has two syllables, we can add -est or put most in front of the adjective. In many cases both forms are used, but one is more common than the other.
   • If the adjective has three syllables or more, we will form the comparative by adding most: important - the most important.
   • When the adjective ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, the last consonant must be repeated before adding the ending: fat - fattest.
   • And if it ends in -y, we must change it to an i: happy - happiest.

3. Examples

   • Marcus is the tallest boy in the class.
   • This book is the longest one that I have ever read!
   • Joseph seems to be the most excited child at the party.
   • This is the best cake I have ever had!
   • The person with the shortest stick has to go first.
   • Of all of the flavors of ice cream, I think I like pistachio the least.
   • I am going to buy my mom the prettiest flowers I can find.