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.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 |
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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