Superlatives use
We use superlatives to describe the highest or lowest degree of a quality in a group. They show that one person, thing, or place stands above all the others: the tallest, the most interesting, the best, the least expensive.
We usually use superlatives when comparing three or more people or things, or when the group is clear from the context.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
This is the most useful feature in the app.
Who is the oldest person in your family?
It was the least difficult task in the test.
Superlatives Form
Superlatives are formed in different ways depending on the adjective. Short adjectives usually take -est, while longer adjectives usually take the most. Some forms are irregular.
short adjective → the + adjective + -est
long adjective → the most + adjective
opposite meaning → the least + adjective
| Type | Base form | Comparative | Superlative |
| Short adjective | small | smaller | the smallest |
| Ending in -e | nice | nicer | the nicest |
| Short adjective with double consonant | big | bigger | the biggest |
| Ending in consonant + y | happy | happier | the happiest |
| Long adjective | interesting | more interesting | the most interesting |
| Opposite / lowest degree | expensive | less expensive | the least expensive |
| Irregular | good / bad / far | better / worse / farther(further) | the best / the worst / the farthest(the furthest) |
Today is the hottest day of the week.
That was the most surprising answer.
Superlatives Rule
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We usually use the before a superlative adjective.
She is the smartest student in the class.
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Use in before places, classes, teams, cities, countries, and similar groups. Use of before numbers, pronouns, or phrases like the three, them, all.
He is the fastest runner in the team.
She is the oldest of the three sisters.
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After one of the, we use a superlative + plural noun.
This is one of the best books I have ever read.
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Superlatives are very common with life experience: the best / the worst / the most interesting ... I have ever ...
It was the best concert I have ever been to.
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After superlatives, we often use a relative clause with that or which.
This is the funniest video that I have seen this month.
- Some two-syllable adjectives can vary in real usage. For learner-friendly content, it is better to choose one standard form and stay consistent throughout the lesson.
Superlatives Common mistakes
❌ Task 2 was the most hardest.
✅ Task 2 was the hardest.
❌ He is tallest boy in the class.
✅ He is the tallest boy in the class.
❌ This is the beautifullest painting here.
✅ This is the most beautiful painting here.
❌ She is one of the best student in the group.
✅ She is one of the best students in the group.
❌ This is the tastiest pie I ever made.
✅ This is the tastiest pie I have ever made.
❌ He is the most tall person in the office.
✅ He is the tallest person in the office.
Superlatives Sentences
Anna is the youngest employee on the team.
This is the cheapest way to travel around the city.
Which room is the quietest in the hotel?
Sunday is usually the busiest day in this café.
That was the most difficult part of the exam.
It is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.
Who is the most patient teacher at your school?
This is the least expensive option on the menu.
For me, autumn is the best season of the year.
What is the most useful app on your phone?
Superlatives Examples
Maria is the kindest person in our office.
February is the shortest month of the year.
This was the most exciting match of the season.
It is the coldest room in the house.
That is the worst excuse I have ever heard.
She bought the most comfortable chair in the store.
He lives in the farthest house on this street.
Today was the least stressful day this week.
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
What was the happiest moment of your childhood?