Superlatives make the best adjectives! They’re the finest phrases for comparisons of three or extra! If you wish to put a noun on the prime of its class, superlative adjectives are the most useful phrases you should utilize!
To be the finest English speaker, it’s important to know the best way to use superlative adjectives. On this information, we clarify all of the fundamentals about superlative adjectives, together with spelling guidelines, when to make use of most, and even a proof of comparative versus superlative adjectives. However earlier than we get into the main points, let’s take a better take a look at the query, “What are superlative adjectives?”
What are superlative adjectives?
Superlative adjectives are a kind adjectives take when evaluating three or extra issues, similar to “the tallest pupil at school” or “the hottest sport.” Typically, superlatives are used to point out one thing is within the prime of its class, with no others having extra of that adjective’s trait.
You may make any adjective right into a superlative. For brief adjectives, merely add the suffix –est on the finish of the phrase. For lengthy adjectives, add the adverb most earlier than the phrase.
Simply watch out of an adjective’s which means as a result of some phrases can’t be in contrast; for instance, one thing can’t be the most unusual as a result of all distinctive issues are equally distinctive.
The best way to use superlative adjectives in a sentence
Superlative adjectives modify nouns similar to different adjectives. More often than not they arrive instantly earlier than the noun they modify.
The tallest pupil at school will get the books from the highest shelf.
Have you ever seen that almost all superlative adjectives use the particular article the? That’s as a result of just one factor will be on the prime of its class, so we use the to point out we’re speaking about one particular factor.
With 590 million followers, Cristiano Ronaldo is the preferred individual on Instagram.
Nevertheless, as an alternative of the, you can too use a possessive adjective like my and their or a possessive noun like trainer’s and Cody’s.
Aryana is my finest buddy this week.
Mozart’s most well-known composition is Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
Moreover, you don’t want the in case you are evaluating one thing with itself, similar to explaining when an individual or factor is at its highest degree of one thing.
Within the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures are hottest in July.
I’m hungriest after watching adverts for pizza.
By the way, in these constructions, the superlative adjective is normally separated from the noun it modifies.
When to make use of most with superlative adjectives
One key to figuring out the best way to use superlative adjectives is knowing when to make use of the suffix –est and when to make use of the adverb most. Normally, brief adjectives use –est and lengthy ones use most, however the particulars get somewhat extra exact.
Particularly, use the phrase most for:
- All adjectives with three or extra syllables
- Adjectives with two syllables besides people who finish in –er, –ow, –le, or –y
Usually, if an adjective has two or extra syllables, it makes use of most. Nevertheless, the exceptions to this rule are two-syllable adjectives with the endings –er, –ow, –le, or –y. If a two-syllable adjective has a type of endings, it requires particular spelling guidelines with –est, defined beneath.
Whereas we’re on the topic, you can too use least rather than most to point out the factor on the backside of a gaggle. You need to use least in entrance of any adjective with out altering the spelling, regardless of what number of syllables it has.
5 spelling guidelines for forming superlative adjectives
1
One-syllable adjectives
If an adjective has just one syllable, more often than not you may merely add the suffix –est to the tip of the phrase with out altering the spelling.
cool -> coolest
small -> smallest
Watch out with one-syllable adjectives that finish in –e or a consonant-vowel-consonant. They’ve barely totally different spelling necessities.
2
One-syllable adjectives ending in –e
You don’t want so as to add one other e if a one-syllable adjective already ends in -e. Simply add –st to the tip.
cute -> cutest
free -> freest
3
One-syllable adjectives ending in consonant-vowel-consonant
If the final three letters of a one-syllable adjective comply with a consonant-vowel-consonant format, like huge or skinny, it’s important to double the final consonant after which add –est.
huge -> greatest
skinny -> thinnest
4
One- or two-syllable adjectives ending in –y
Adjectives with both one or two syllables have particular spelling guidelines in the event that they finish in -y. To make the superlative, first change the y into an i after which add –est.
dry -> driest
probably -> likeliest
5
Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, –ow, or –le
Two-syllable adjectives that finish in -er, -ow, or -le don’t use the adverb most like different lengthy superlative adjectives. As an alternative, if an adjective with two syllables ends in –er (like bitter) or –ow (like slender), add –est on the finish with out altering the spelling (bitterest or narrowest). Two-syllable adjectives that finish in –le simply take –st; you don’t want a second e.
intelligent -> cleverest
shallow -> shallowest
easy -> easiest
Irregular superlative adjectives
Like different phrase lessons, some adjectives are irregular and don’t comply with the “common” guidelines. Check out these irregular superlative adjectives so you realize their correct utilization.
| Normal kind | Comparative kind |
| good | finest |
| unhealthy | worst |
| far | farthest or furthest |
| enjoyable | funnest or most enjoyable |
| good-looking | handsomest |
| many | most |
| well mannered | politest |
| quiet | quietest |
| silly | stupidest |
To clear up the talk about funnest vs. most enjoyable, each are literally acceptable in English. Nevertheless, most fashionable English audio system want most enjoyable over funnest.
The constructions of farthest and furthest are somewhat extra difficult. Should you’re having bother, confer with our information on farther vs. additional; though the article discusses the comparative kind, the identical concepts apply to the superlative kind.
Comparative vs. superlative adjectives
In grammar, superlative adjectives are normally paired with comparative adjectives due to their similarities: Each are utilized in comparisons and have comparable suffixes (-er and –est) or helper adverbs (extra and most). Furthermore, each comply with most of the similar spelling guidelines, similar to altering a y to an i earlier than including the suffix.
Let’s finish the confusion about comparative versus superlative adjectives proper now with these two guidelines:
- Should you’re evaluating solely two issues, use comparative adjectives.
- Should you’re evaluating three or extra issues, together with every little thing in a gaggle, use superlative adjectives.
Simply take a look at the usage of each comparative and superlative adjectives on this instance:
I’m stronger than my brother, however the strongest individual within the household is grandma!
Superlative adjectives FAQs
What’s a superlative adjective?
Superlative adjectives are a kind adjectives take when evaluating three or extra issues, similar to “the tallest pupil at school” or “the hottest sport.” Typically, superlatives are used to point out one thing is within the prime of its class, with no others having extra of an adjective’s trait.
What are some examples of superlative adjectives?
Some widespread examples of superlative adjectives embody:
- quickest
- smallest
- most essential
- most assured
- finest
- worst
How is a superlative adjective totally different from a comparative adjective?
The distinction between comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives is the variety of issues within the comparability. For evaluating solely two issues, use comparative adjectives. For evaluating three or extra issues, together with every little thing in a class, use superlative adjectives.
