Site icon Learn American English Online

Y7 Superlatives

Yellow Level

Lesson Seven:

Superlative Adjectives

differences in 3+ things or 3+ people

Add “est” or “most” when forming superlative adjectives.

(What is an adjective?)

The lion is the biggest animal in this group.

(There are three animals)

The lion is also the most dangerous animal in this group.

Remember: The superlative form is used to show the difference among three or more things or people in a group.

There are rules for using the superlative form. The table below will help you.

Superlatives
One-syllable words
two-syllable words    ending in y
 two syllables or more  not ending in y
add est
drop the y and ad iest
use most / don’t add est
big biggest
noisy noisiest
dangerous most dangerous
old oldest
busy busiest
expensive most expensive
nice nicest
crazy craziest
comfortable most comfortable
young youngest
lazy laziest
humid most humid
fast fastest
funny funniest
tired most tired
cheap cheapest
dry driest
acceptable most acceptable
There are some exceptions: good, bad, far, and fun are adjectives that don’t follow the rules when making the comparative form.
good best
bad worst
far farthest
 fun most fun

Never use two superlatives together on an adjective:

most cheapest

most noisiest

It’s often necessary to use “the” in front of the superlative:

1. Apples picked directly from a tree taste the best.
2. I had the most fun at the state fair when I rode on the ferris wheel.
3. Giraffes have the longest necks of any animal.

Sometimes an article such as “the” isn’t necessary when using the superlative. Instead, you can use the possessive form in front of the superlative.

Examples:

This dog is her best friend.

or

Her best friend is her dog.

Click here for a quiz on comparatives and superlatives

Click here for a listening exercise.

Next: Lesson Eight

Exit mobile version