Talking About the # 1
We often compare things to say how they are different or similar.
When we want to talk about something that is at the top, the best, the biggest, or the most interesting, we use the superlative form.
Superlatives show that one thing has the highest level of a quality.
For example:
- Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
- This café has the most delicious desserts in town.
Let’s learn how to form and use them!
1️⃣ Forming Superlatives
We form superlatives in different ways depending on the type of adjective.
| Type of adjective | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short adjectives (1 syllable) | adjective + -est | small → the smallest Tokyo is the smallest apartment I’ve ever seen. |
| Adjectives ending in -e | adjective + -st | nice → the nicest She’s the nicest person I know. |
| Short adjectives (CVC pattern) | double the last consonant + -est | big → the biggest That’s the biggest dog I’ve ever seen. |
| Long adjectives (2+ syllables) | the most + adjective | beautiful → the most beautiful Paris is the most beautiful city in Europe. |
| Irregular adjectives | good → the best / bad → the worst / far → the farthest | This is the best movie ever! |
🟢 Remember: Always use “the” before the superlative.
❌ Mount Everest is highest mountain.
✅ Mount Everest is the highest mountain.
2️⃣ Superlatives with Nouns
We can also use superlatives + noun to describe people, places, or things:
- She’s the youngest student in the class.
- That was the most exciting game this year.
- This is the least expensive restaurant in town.
🟡 Note: We use the least + adjective for the opposite meaning:
- This is the least interesting book I’ve read.
3️⃣ Common Phrases with Superlatives
Superlatives are often used with expressions like:
- in the world / in the city / in the group
- He’s the best player in the team.
- I’ve ever…
- That’s the most delicious cake I’ve ever eaten!
🧠 Grammar Focus
| Adjective Type | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| Short | tall → taller than | tall → the tallest |
| Ending in -e | nice → nicer than | nice → the nicest |
| CVC | big → bigger than | big → the biggest |
| Long | beautiful → more beautiful than | beautiful → the most beautiful |
| Irregular | good → better than | good → the best |
Let’s Practice
Practice 1
Look at the card.
Say the opposite superlative.
Example: the most expensive -> the cheapest
Practice 2
Look at the cards and complete the sentences with the correct superlative.
Practice 3
Speaking
Complete the questions using a superlative.
Share your answers with your classmates.
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