the + adjective-est + noun (+ in/of group)Use -est with many short adjectives. Add the group after the noun when you need to show what set you mean.
Superlative Adjectives
A2Use superlatives to show the top or bottom item in a group: the tallest, the most expensive. Use -est for many short adjectives and most for many longer ones.
What you'll learn
- Use the before a superlative adjective.
- Build short superlatives with -est.
- Use most with longer adjectives.
- Spell -est forms correctly.
- Add the group with in or of when needed.
Structure
the + most + adjective + noun (+ in/of group)Use most with many longer adjectives. Do not add -est to the adjective in this pattern.
Build a sentence
Adjective
Group
thetalleststudentinthe class
Mia is the tallest student in the class.
Short adjective: add -est.
When to use
One from a group
Use a superlative when one thing stands at the top or bottom inside a clear group. Lisa is the fastest runner on the team.
Places and things
Use superlatives to compare buildings, cities, products, routes, and prices. This is the most expensive store in the mall.
People in a set
Use them for age, speed, height, skill, or personality inside a known set. Tom is the oldest of the four brothers.
Markers
in the classof the threein townon the teamin the world
Spelling
most short adjectives
→ + esttall → tallestshort vowel + consonant
→ double consonant + estbig → biggestconsonant + y
→ y → iestfunny → funniestIn contrast
vs comparative-adjectives
Comparatives compare two items: taller, more expensive. Superlatives pick one item as number one in a larger group: the tallest, the most expensive.
Common mistakes
Wrong
This is tallest building on the street.
Correct
This is the tallest building on the street.
Use the before a superlative adjective when you mean one top item in a group.
Wrong
Sam is the most tall player on the team.
Correct
Sam is the tallest player on the team.
Short adjectives like tall normally make the superlative with -est, not with most.
Wrong
It is the expensivest restaurant near our office.
Correct
It is the most expensive restaurant near our office.
Longer adjectives use most, not -est.
Wrong
This is the most easiest exercise in the book.
Correct
This is the easiest exercise in the book.
Use one superlative marker, not two. Easiest already shows the extreme.
Wrong
That is the bigest bag here.
Correct
That is the biggest bag here.
With short vowel + consonant, double the last consonant before -est.
Wrong
Leo is the oldest in the four cousins.
Correct
Leo is the oldest of the four cousins.
Use of before a number or a fixed set like the four cousins.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every superlative uses most. ❞
Many short adjectives use -est: the tallest, the fastest, the nicest. Use most with many longer adjectives.
❝ A superlative is complete without any group phrase in every situation. ❞
Often you need to name the group so the meaning is clear: the tallest in the class, the oldest of the three.
Skills in this rule (6)
THE_PLUS_SUPERLATIVEw5Use the before a superlative adjective
Use the with a superlative when you pick one thing as the top example in a group. Say the tallest building, the fastest train, the most expensive hotel.
EST_FOR_SHORT_ADJECTIVESw5Make superlatives with -est for short adjectives
Use -est with many short adjectives: tall → tallest, fast → fastest. This pattern is common with one-syllable adjectives and some short two-syllable ones.
MOST_FOR_LONG_ADJECTIVESw5Use most with longer adjectives
Use most before many longer adjectives: interesting → most interesting, expensive → most expensive. Do not add -est to these adjectives.
SPELL_SUPERLATIVE_ENDINGSw4Spell short superlatives correctly
Add -est to most short adjectives. Double the final consonant after short vowel + consonant, and change y to i before -est.
IN_GROUP_PHRASESw4Add in or of to show the group
After a superlative, add the group with in for places and categories or of for people or set groups. This makes the comparison complete: the tallest in the class, the oldest of the three.
USE_FOR_EXTREMESw4Use superlatives to talk about extremes
Use a superlative when one person or thing is at the top or bottom of a group. It answers questions like which one is highest, cheapest, best, or most interesting.