Superlative Adjectives

Related Topics:
Comparative Adjectives
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We use comparative adjectives to describe and compare two nouns or pronouns.
We use superlative adjectives to describe and compare three or more nouns or pronouns.

In these lessons, we will learn how to form and use superlative adjectives.

The following table gives the general Rules for Superlative Adjectives (there are some exceptions). Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.

Rules for Superlative Adjectives

Rule 1: When an adjective consists of one syllable add est to the end to make it a superlative adjective.

Examples:

	Comparative	Superlative
clean	cleaner	cleanest
dark	darker	darkest
thick	thicker	thickest
soft	softer	softest
warm	warmer	warmest
neat	neater	neatest
broad	broader	broadest
tall	taller	tallest
old	older	oldest

Exception to Rule 1: If the one syllable adjective ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant we need to double the last consonant before adding the est. However, if the last consonant is a w then we follow rule 1 instead.

Examples:

	Comparative	Superlative
big	bigger	biggest
dim	dimmer	dimmest
fat	fatter	fattest
fit	fitter	fittest
flat	flatter	flattest
few	fewer	fewest
slow	slower	slowest
low	lower	lowest

Rule 2: When a two syllable adjective ends with y we need to replace the y with an i and then add the est.

Examples:

	Comparative	Superlative
busy	busier	busiest
dirty	dirtier	dirtiest
easy	easier	easiest
funny	funnier	funniest
noisy	noisier	noisiest
happy	happier	happiest
heavy	heavier	heaviest
lovely	lovelier	loveliest

Rule 3: For an adjective with two or more syllabus (that does not end with y), we use add the word most or least in front of the adjective.

Examples:

	Comparative	Superlative
active	more active, less active	most active, least active
careless	more careless. less careless	most careless. least careless
famous	more famous. Less famous	most famous. least famous
cheerful	more cheerful, less cheerful	most cheerful, least cheerful
beautiful	more beautiful, less beautiful	most beautiful, least beautiful
generous	more generous, less generous	most generous, least generous
intelligent	more intelligent, less intelligent	most intelligent, least intelligent
valuable	more valuable, less valuable	most valuable, least valuable

Exceptions: There are some adjectives that have irregular comparative and superlative forms.

Examples:

	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
many	more	most
much	more	most
little	less	least
far	farther	farthest

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