Adjectives are an essential part of any language, as they allow us to describe and provide more information about the nouns we are talking about. One aspect of adjectives that often causes confusion for language learners is their superlative form. This article aims to demystify the superlative form of common adjectives in English, helping you to use them correctly and confidently.
Understanding the Superlative Form
To start, let’s define what we mean by the “superlative form” of an adjective. In English, adjectives can take on three forms: the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.
1. **Positive form**: This is the base form of the adjective, such as “big,” “happy,” or “beautiful.”
2. **Comparative form**: This form is used to compare two things, such as “bigger,” “happier,” or “more beautiful.”
3. **Superlative form**: This form is used to compare more than two things and to indicate the extreme or highest degree of the quality, such as “biggest,” “happiest,” or “most beautiful.”
Rules for Forming Superlatives
There are some general rules that you can follow to form the superlative of most adjectives. These rules are based on the number of syllables in the adjective and whether the adjective follows regular or irregular patterns.
One-Syllable Adjectives
For most one-syllable adjectives, you form the superlative by adding “-est” to the end of the adjective. If the adjective ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, you double the final consonant before adding “-est.”
Examples:
– Big → Biggest
– Tall → Tallest
– Hot → Hottest
Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in “Y”
For two-syllable adjectives that end in “y,” you form the superlative by changing the “y” to “i” and adding “-est.”
Examples:
– Happy → Happiest
– Funny → Funniest
– Busy → Busiest
Two-Syllable and Longer Adjectives
For adjectives with two or more syllables that do not end in “y,” you form the superlative by placing the word “most” before the adjective.
Examples:
– Beautiful → Most beautiful
– Expensive → Most expensive
– Comfortable → Most comfortable
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms that do not follow the above rules. These must be memorized as they do not follow a predictable pattern.
Examples:
– Good → Best
– Bad → Worst
– Far → Furthest
Usage of Superlative Adjectives
Now that we understand how to form superlative adjectives, let’s explore how to use them in sentences. Superlative adjectives are used to highlight the extreme quality of one item in a group of three or more.
Using “The” with Superlatives
Superlative adjectives are usually preceded by the definite article “the.” This is because we are referring to a specific noun that possesses the extreme quality among a group.
Examples:
– She is the smartest student in the class.
– This is the most interesting book I have ever read.
– He is the tallest player on the team.
Comparing More than Two Items
Superlative adjectives are used when comparing more than two items. If you are only comparing two items, you should use the comparative form instead.
Example:
– Among the three brothers, John is the tallest. (Superlative)
– Between the two brothers, John is taller. (Comparative)
Superlatives in Questions
Superlative adjectives can also be used in questions to ask about the extreme quality of something within a group.
Examples:
– Who is the oldest person in your family?
– What is the most expensive item in the store?
– Which is the fastest car on the market?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even though the rules for forming superlatives are straightforward, there are some common mistakes that learners often make. Being aware of these can help you avoid them.
Using Superlatives with Two Items
As mentioned earlier, superlative adjectives should only be used when comparing more than two items. If you are comparing just two items, use the comparative form.
Incorrect: Between the two candidates, she is the best.
Correct: Between the two candidates, she is better.
Forgetting “The” Before Superlatives
Superlative adjectives should almost always be preceded by the definite article “the.” Omitting this article can make the sentence sound awkward or incorrect.
Incorrect: She is smartest student in the class.
Correct: She is the smartest student in the class.
Using the Wrong Form for Two-Syllable Adjectives
Some learners mistakenly add “-est” to two-syllable adjectives that do not end in “y,” instead of using “most.”
Incorrect: This cake is beautifullest.
Correct: This cake is the most beautiful.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of superlative adjectives, it’s important to practice. Here are some exercises that you can try.
Exercise 1: Form the Superlative
For each of the following adjectives, write the superlative form.
1. Fast
2. Old
3. Happy
4. Expensive
5. Good
6. Comfortable
7. Bad
8. Short
9. Interesting
10. Busy
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct superlative form of the adjective in parentheses.
1. This is ________ (good) pizza I have ever tasted.
2. She is ________ (intelligent) person in our office.
3. That was ________ (bad) movie I have ever seen.
4. He is ________ (tall) student in the class.
5. This book is ________ (interesting) of all.
Exercise 3: Correct the Sentences
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. This is the more exciting game of the season.
2. She is the nicer of the two sisters.
3. He is the baddest player on the team.
4. These are the most cheapest shoes in the store.
5. My house is the bigest on the street.
Answers to Exercises
Checking your answers is crucial to learning. Here are the answers to the exercises provided above.
Exercise 1: Form the Superlative
1. Fast → Fastest
2. Old → Oldest
3. Happy → Happiest
4. Expensive → Most expensive
5. Good → Best
6. Comfortable → Most comfortable
7. Bad → Worst
8. Short → Shortest
9. Interesting → Most interesting
10. Busy → Busiest
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
1. This is the best pizza I have ever tasted.
2. She is the most intelligent person in our office.
3. That was the worst movie I have ever seen.
4. He is the tallest student in the class.
5. This book is the most interesting of all.
Exercise 3: Correct the Sentences
1. This is the most exciting game of the season.
2. She is nicer of the two sisters. (Comparative form: “nicer” should be used instead of the superlative form.)
3. He is the worst player on the team.
4. These are the cheapest shoes in the store.
5. My house is the biggest on the street.
Conclusion
Mastering the superlative form of adjectives is a key step in becoming proficient in English. By understanding the rules and patterns, you can use superlative adjectives to express the highest degree of a quality effectively. Remember to practice regularly and be mindful of common mistakes. With time and effort, using superlatives will become second nature to you. Happy learning!
