Updated Daily
differences in 3+ things or 3+ people
Add “est” or “most” when forming superlative adjectives.
(What is an adjective?)
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The lion is the biggest animal in this group.
(There are three animals)
The lion is also the most dangerous animal in this group.
Remember: The superlative form is used to show the difference among three or more things or people in a group. There are rules for using the superlative form. The table below will help you. |
Superlatives | ||
One-syllable words | two-syllable words ending in y | two syllables or more not ending in y |
add est | drop the y and ad iest | use most / don’t add est |
big biggest | noisy noisiest | dangerous most dangerous |
old oldest | busy busiest | expensive most expensive |
nice nicest | crazy craziest | comfortable most comfortable |
young youngest | lazy laziest | humid most humid |
fast fastest | funny funniest | tired most tired |
cheap cheapest | dry driest | acceptable most acceptable |
| There are some exceptions: good, bad, far, and fun are adjectives that don’t follow the rules when making the comparative form. | ||
good best | bad worst | far farthest |
fun most fun | ||
Never use two superlatives together on an adjective:
most cheapest
most noisiest
It’s often necessary to use “the” in front of the superlative:
| 1. Apples picked directly from a tree taste the best. | ![]() |
| 2. I had the most fun at the state fair when I rode on the ferris wheel. | ![]() |
| 3. Giraffes have the longest necks of any animal. | ![]() |
Sometimes an article such as “the” isn’t necessary when using the superlative. Instead, you can use the possessive form in front of the superlative. Examples: This dog is her best friend. or Her best friend is her dog. | ![]() |