Superlative adjectives are used to describe the highest degree of a quality among three or more people or things. They show which one is the "most" or "least" something.
- Superlative adjectives compare three or more items.
- They indicate the extreme degree of a quality.
- They can be formed by adding -est or using "most" before the adjective.
How to Form Superlative Adjectives
Most English adjectives form the superlative in one of three ways:
1. Short Adjectives (one syllable)
Add -est to the end of the adjective.
- tall → tallest
- fast → fastest
- cold → coldest
2. Adjectives Ending in -y
Change the -y to -i and add -est.
- happy → happiest
- easy → easiest
- busy → busiest
3. Longer Adjectives (two or more syllables)
Use most before the adjective.
- beautiful → most beautiful
- interesting → most interesting
- difficult → most difficult
Special Rules
There are some important spelling rules to remember:
- If the adjective ends in a single consonant with a single vowel before it, double the consonant before adding -est.
- big → biggest
- hot → hottest
- sad → saddest
- If the adjective ends in -e, just add -st.
- large → largest
- wise → wisest
- nice → nicest
- If the adjective ends in -y, change the -y to -i before adding -est (see above).
What happens if an adjective ends in a single consonant with a single vowel before it when forming the superlative?
Double the consonant before adding -est.
If the adjective ends in a single consonant with a single vowel before it, double the consonant before adding '-est' (e.g., big → biggest).
Irregular Superlative Adjectives
Some common adjectives have irregular superlative forms that don’t follow the usual rules:
- good → best
- bad → worst
- far → farthest or furthest
Using Superlative Adjectives in Sentences
Superlative adjectives are often used with the, because they describe one item as the extreme in a group.
- She is the tallest in the class.
- This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
- Today is the coldest day of the year.
Common Mistakes
- Don’t use more or most with short adjectives that take -est.
- Wrong: more tall
- Correct: tallest
- Don’t add -est to adjectives that are two or more syllables long; use most instead.
- Wrong: beautifullest
- Correct: most beautiful
- Always use the before superlative adjectives.
- Wrong: She is tallest
- Correct: She is the tallest
Summary
- Use -est for short adjectives (usually one syllable).
- For adjectives ending in -y, change y to i and add -est.
- Use most for longer adjectives (two or more syllables).
- Use the before superlative adjectives.
- Remember irregular forms: best, worst, farthest/furthest.
Superlative adjectives help you describe the highest degree of a quality and compare more than two things clearly and effectively.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
