Superlative adjectives in English
Hi, my name is Sarah and today we are going to learn about Superlative Adjectives in English.
If you have not seen my lesson on comparative adjectives, I recommend you follow the link
above or down below first.
As we saw in my lesson on comparative adjectives,
when comparing two cars, we can say "This car is faster than this car."
When we are comparing MORE than 2 things,
we use the superlative.
This is the fastest car. It goes 300 kph.
Here, the fastest car, is the superlative.
When using one syllable adjectives such as tall, small or fast.
We use THE plus the adjective plus -EST.
So lets go back to our snail and rabbit.
If we compare the two animals we say "The snail is slower than the rabbit."
But if we add the sloth We say:
"The sloth is the slowest animal in the world."
It is slower than ALL the other animals.
Now remember our flowers.
A beautiful bunch of tulips and an unwanted weed.
These flowers are more beautiful than these flowers.
But the rose is the most beautiful flower.
It is more beautiful than all the other flowers.
When comparing more than 2 things with most adjectives with two syllables or more,
we add "the most" plus the adjective
For example:
Skiing is the most exciting sport. Ex – cit – ing is 3 syllables so we use
the most and the adjective.
So the Rule is :
Short adjectives ( 1 syllable) we add "the+ adjective + est"
Long adjectives of 2 syllables or more we add
"the most + adjective".
There are some spelling changes you should remember.
The first one to remember is with one-syllable adjectives with the pattern
consonant, vowel, consonant.
Remember to double the final consonant before –est.
For example.
This is the biggest ball.
Notice the double consonant g.
If the adjective ends in –e, just add –st
For example:
This house is the largest.
2 syllable adjectives ending in "y" like lucky, happy and angry,
have a special pattern.
The first thing to note is that unlike other adjectives with 2 syllables,
they don't take "most" but –est.
AND the –y, it changes to i
For example: "This monkey is the angriest."
Notice angry is a 2 syllable adjective, an-gry ending in "y",
so we change the "y" to "i"
and we add -est.
Now for the exceptions:
Good, bad and far.
The first one is good. So, "The drink is good."
"The meal is better."
But, "Fruit is the best food for your health."
The superlative of good is the best.
not the goodest!
Then bad. So likewise, "Alcohol is bad for your health."
"Cigarettes are worse."
But the worst of all are drugs.
So, "Drugs are the worst thing for your health."
The superlative of bad is the worst not the baddest!
And lastly far. So as we saw in my comparatives tutorial .
The UK is far, China is farther or further. But the furthest of all is Pluto.
So Pluto is the farthest or furthest planet from the Earth.
Note that you can use farthest or furthest as a superlative for far.
Now its your turn.
Compare these 3 cats using the adjective fat.
This cat is …....
the fattest. Remember CVC, consonant, vowel, consonant,
you double the final consonant before -est.
Compare these 3 people using the adjective lucky.
This woman is …......
the luckiest. That's right.
Remember 2 syllable adjectives ending in y
don't take most but –est and remember the y changes to i.
Compare these 3 objects using the adjective expensive.
A crown, a pen and an apple.
Write your answer down below in the comments section.
Congratulations, you now know how to use superlatives adjectives in English.
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Superlative adjectives in English