A superlative identifies the member of a group with the greatest or least degree of a quality. “The blue bag is the lightest” means that none of the bags in the relevant group is lighter.
What's your English level?
Take the test and get your certificate!
Use a comparative to describe a difference, as in “The blue bag is lighter than the black one.” Use a superlative when you want to place something at an extreme within the whole group.
Forming superlatives
Many short adjectives take -est. Longer adjectives generally use most or least, and some frequent adjectives have irregular forms.
| Base adjective | Superlative | Spelling or usage point |
|---|---|---|
| tall | tallest | Add -est. |
| large | largest | Add -st after final e. |
| big | biggest | Double the final consonant in this pattern. |
| easy | easiest | Change consonant + y to -iest. |
| useful | most useful | Use most before the adjective. |
| good | best | Learn the irregular form. |
| bad | worst | Learn the irregular form. |
| far | farthest / furthest | Both can describe distance. |
Two-syllable adjectives do not all follow one rule. Happy becomes happiest, while simple can become simplest and clever can become cleverest. Forms with most are also possible for some of these adjectives, so check a dictionary when unsure.
Do not combine most with an -est form. “The most easiest question” should be “the easiest question.” To describe the opposite extreme, use least: “This is the least expensive option.”
When to use the
A superlative adjective before a noun normally takes the: “the tallest building” or “the most interesting chapter.” The article helps identify the particular member of the group.
A possessive replaces the, rather than appearing beside it. Write “my best friend” and “her most successful project,” not “my the best friend.” In predicative uses without a following noun, the can sometimes be omitted, as in “Which route is quickest?”
Defining the group with in and of
Use in to identify a place or a group treated as a setting: “the oldest building in the city” and “the youngest person in the team.” Use of with a plural set or a time period: “the best of the three” and “the hottest day of the year.”
The group can also be understood from context. If three bags are on a table, “Which is the lightest?” does not need a repeated description of the bags.
One of the: a useful pattern
“One of the most useful books” identifies a member of a group of especially useful books. The noun after the superlative is plural because one of selects one item from several.
The main subject is still one, so a following singular verb is often required: “One of the best restaurants in town is near the station.” Avoid “one of the best restaurant” and “one of the best restaurants are” in this structure.
Compare three options
The figures below describe an imaginary shopping choice. They let you practise comparisons without needing to guess what the adjectives refer to.
| Bag | Price | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | £30 | 500 g |
| Black | £45 | 700 g |
| Green | £60 | 450 g |
The blue bag is cheaper than the black bag, and it is the cheapest of the three. The green bag is the lightest, but it is also the most expensive. The black bag is the heaviest.
Customer: Which bag is best for walking?
Assistant: The green one is the lightest.
Customer: And which is cheapest?
Assistant: The blue one costs the least.
Best requires a criterion: best for price, weight, comfort, or another purpose. The lightest item is not automatically the best choice for every person.
Strengthening or qualifying a superlative
Use by far to emphasise a large difference: “It is by far the longest chapter.” Use one of when something belongs among the extremes without claiming that it ranks first: “It is one of the longest chapters.”
The present perfect often appears with experiences: “That is the most unusual meal I have ever eaten.” The comparison is with the speaker’s previous meals, not every meal in the world.
Practice with explained answers
Complete the sentences and correct the mistakes. Use the bag table for the final comparison.
- This is the _____ part of the test. (easy)
- That was the _____ result of the season. (bad)
- Correct: “She is my the best friend.”
- Complete: “It is the tallest building _____ the city.”
- Correct: “One of the most useful tool is a notebook.”
- Correct: “This is the most cheapest ticket.”
- Complete: “This is the best _____ the three proposals.”
- Which bag is the most expensive, and which is the heaviest?
Answers
- Easiest. Change y to i before -est.
- Worst. Bad has an irregular superlative.
- She is my best friend. The possessive my replaces the.
- In. The city identifies the location containing the building.
- One of the most useful tools is a notebook. Tools is plural after one of; is agrees with one.
- This is the cheapest ticket. Do not use both most and -est.
- Of. The three proposals form the specified set.
- The green bag is the most expensive; the black bag is the heaviest. The two superlatives describe different qualities.
What's your English level?
Take the test and get your certificate!
