Superlatives

Superlatives

1. Superlatives are used to indicate an end in a group of things

   • Bob is the tallest student in the class
     • Generally we form the superlative by adding the suffix -est to the adjective
       • small, the smallest Narrow, the narrowest Clever, the cleverest
       • She is the youngest in her family He is the oldest man I know

2. If the adjective ends with e, we just add -st to form the superlative. large - the largest

   • However, the secretary was the nicest

3. If a word ends with a consonant and then and, we change the y to -iest. easy - the easiest

   • Crazy, the craziest Happy, the happiest
     • I am the happiest man in the world

4. Double consonant If a word ends with a consonant, a vowel, and then another consonant and the strong syllable is the last, duplicate the last letter before adding -est. big - the biggest

   • China is the biggest country I have visited

5. "Most" with Long Words If the word is two syllables or more (a long word) and does not end with y, we use the word most, instead of -est. expensive - the most expensive

   • Ambitious, the most ambitious. Important, the most important Intelligent, the most intelligent Quickly, the most quickly

6. Irregular superlatives good - the best bad - the worst far - the farthest

   • His idea is the best I have listened. This contract is the worst I have ever seen. He is the best team swimmer. She is the worst driver I know.