Superlative Adjectives – The Oldest, The Most Important, etc.

Age: 10+ Level: A1 Language: ENGLISH (EN) School subject: Grammar Created by: El-Arbi Ameur

Introduction to Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives are used to describe the extreme quality of something in a group of things. They help us compare three or more items, showing which one is at the top or bottom of a quality scale. For example, when we say “Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world,” we’re using a superlative adjective to show that no other mountain is higher.

In English, we form superlative adjectives in different ways depending on the adjective. Short adjectives typically add -est (e.g., tall → tallest), while longer adjectives use the most before the adjective (e.g., beautiful → the most beautiful). There are also irregular forms that don’t follow these rules (e.g., good → the best).

Understanding superlatives is essential for making comparisons in English. They’re commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about preferences, experiences, and observations. For instance, you might say “This is the best pizza I’ve ever had” or “She’s the youngest student in the class.”

How to Form Superlative Adjectives

There are specific rules for forming superlative adjectives in English. The method depends on the number of syllables in the adjective and its ending. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. One-Syllable Adjectives

For most one-syllable adjectives, add -est to the end:

  • tall → the tallest
  • fast → the fastest
  • small → the smallest

If the adjective ends in -e, just add -st:

  • large → the largest
  • nice → the nicest

If the adjective ends in a single vowel + consonant, double the final consonant before adding -est:

  • big → the biggest
  • hot → the hottest

2. Two-Syllable Adjectives

Some two-syllable adjectives take -est, especially those ending in -y, -er, -ow, -le:

  • happy → the happiest (change y to i and add -est)
  • clever → the cleverest
  • narrow → the narrowest
  • simple → the simplest

Other two-syllable adjectives use “the most”:

  • famous → the most famous
  • careful → the most careful

3. Adjectives with Three or More Syllables

These always use “the most”:

  • beautiful → the most beautiful
  • important → the most important
  • expensive → the most expensive

4. Irregular Superlatives

Some adjectives have completely irregular forms:

  • good → the best
  • bad → the worst
  • far → the farthest/the furthest
  • little → the least
  • many/much → the most
Adjective Type Example Superlative Form
One-syllable tall the tallest
Ending in -e large the largest
Vowel+consonant big the biggest
Two-syllable (-y) happy the happiest
Two-syllable (other) famous the most famous
Three+ syllables beautiful the most beautiful
Irregular good the best

Examples of Superlative Adjectives in Sentences

Here are some common examples of superlative adjectives used in sentences:

  • This is the longest river in Africa.
  • She is the most intelligent student in our class.
  • That was the worst movie I’ve ever seen.
  • December 21 is the shortest day of the year.
  • This restaurant makes the best pizza in town.
  • Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
  • He is the oldest member of our team.
  • That was the most exciting game of the season.
  • This is the least expensive option available.
  • She told the funniest joke at the party.

Using “The” with Superlatives

We always use “the” with superlative adjectives because we’re talking about one specific thing in a group:

  • Correct: She is the tallest girl in the class.
  • Incorrect: She is tallest girl in the class.

The only exception is when we use a possessive adjective instead of “the”:

  • This is my best friend. (not “the my best friend”)
  • That was her worst performance. (not “the her worst performance”)

Practice Exercises

Now let’s practice what you’ve learned. Complete the following exercises and check your answers.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Superlative Form

Select the correct superlative form for each adjective.

1. tall

2. beautiful

3. good

4. happy

5. bad

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Superlative Form

Complete each sentence with the superlative form of the adjective in parentheses.

1. This is (old) building in the city.

2. She is (intelligent) person I know.

3. That was (good) movie I’ve seen this year.

4. This is (expensive) restaurant in town.

5. He told (funny) joke at the party.

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes

Each sentence has one mistake with the superlative adjective. Find and correct it.

1. She is most beautiful girl in our class.

Corrected:

2. This is the expensivest hotel in the city.

Corrected:

3. That was the badest day of my life.

Corrected:

4. He is the interestingest person I’ve met.

Corrected:

5. This is most important lesson.

Corrected:

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. The Amazon is _____ river in the world by volume.

2. That was _____ concert I’ve ever attended.

3. She is _____ student in our school.

4. This is _____ problem we’ve faced this year.

5. That was _____ movie of the trilogy.

Exercise 5: Write Sentences Using Superlatives

Write complete sentences using the superlative form of the given adjectives.

1. (tall) –

2. (interesting) –

3. (bad) –

4. (important) –

5. (far) –

Exercise 6: Identify the Correct Superlative Form

Each question has three options. Only one is correct. Choose the correct one.

1. Which is the correct superlative form of “big”?

2. Which is the correct superlative form of “comfortable”?

3. Which is the correct superlative form of “little” (amount)?

4. Which is the correct superlative form of “far” (distance)?

5. Which is the correct superlative form of “crowded”?

Exercise 7: Complete the Chart

Fill in the missing forms in the chart below.

Adjective Comparative Superlative
1. tall taller
2. more beautiful the most beautiful
3. good better
4. bad the worst
5. happier the happiest

Exercise 8: Choose the Correct Sentence

Each pair has one correct and one incorrect sentence. Choose the correct one.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Exercise 9: Match the Adjectives to Their Superlative Forms

Drag the superlative form to match the base adjective.

Adjectives

  • expensive
  • happy
  • good
  • far
  • little

Superlative Forms

  • the best
  • the most expensive
  • the happiest
  • the farthest
  • the least

Your Matches

Exercise 10: Listening Comprehension

Listen to the audio and answer the questions using superlative adjectives.

1. What does the speaker say is “the most beautiful” place in the city?

2. Which museum does the speaker say is “the oldest”?

3. What does the speaker say is “the best” time to visit?

4. Which restaurant does the speaker say is “the most expensive”?

5. What does the speaker say is “the worst” thing about the city?

Tips for Using Superlative Adjectives

  • Always use “the” before superlative adjectives (except when using possessive adjectives).
  • Remember the spelling rules for adding -est: double the final consonant for one-syllable adjectives ending in vowel+consonant.
  • Change -y to -i before adding -est for adjectives ending in -y (happy → happiest).
  • Use “the most” for adjectives with three or more syllables.
  • Memorize the irregular forms (good → best, bad → worst, etc.).
  • Superlatives are typically followed by “in” for places or groups (the tallest in the class).
  • Use “of” for periods of time (the best day of my life).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using both “most” and -est together (e.g., “the most tallest” is incorrect).
  • Forgetting to use “the” before the superlative (e.g., “She is tallest” is incorrect).
  • Using comparative forms when superlative is needed (e.g., “This is the better” instead of “This is the best”).
  • Incorrect irregular forms (e.g., “goodest” instead of “best”).
  • Using superlatives when comparing only two items (use comparative instead).

Summary of Key Points

Superlative adjectives are essential for making comparisons in English when referring to the extreme quality among three or more items. Here are the key points to remember:

  • Formation: One-syllable adjectives typically add -est, while longer adjectives use “the most.”
  • Irregular forms: Some adjectives like good, bad, far, and little have completely irregular superlative forms.
  • Usage: Always use “the” before superlatives (except with possessives) and follow them with “in” or “of” to specify the group.
  • Spelling: Pay attention to spelling changes when adding -est (doubling consonants, changing -y to -i).
  • Context: Use superlatives only when comparing three or more items; for two items, use comparative forms.

With practice, using superlative adjectives will become natural. They’re extremely useful for expressing opinions, making recommendations, and describing experiences in the most vivid way possible.