In the last lesson, we talked about comparative adjectives. We use comparative adjectives to compare two nouns.
Today we will talk about superlative adjectives. We use superlative adjectives to compare three or more nouns. Add -est onto a one-syllable adjective to make it a superlative adjective. If the adjective is longer than one syllable, put the word most in front of the adjective.
Here are some examples:
Bob is tall. John is taller. Sam is the tallest.
My dad is older than I. My grandpa is the oldest of all of us.
The book was exciting. The movie was more exciting. The trip to Universal Studios was the most exciting of all.
This is a busy street. The four-lane road is busier. The highway is the busiest of all.
A few adjectives in our language change completely when they become comparative and superlative adjectives. You will need to memorize these four irregular comparatives.
good< better< best
bad< worse< worst
little< less< least
much< more< most
This is a bad storm. We had a worse storm last week. The worst storm happened two years ago.
I got a good grade on my test. Mary earned a better grade. Eve had the best grade of all.
Sometimes we use a superlative adjective all by itself to describe one object or person in a large group.
That is the largest cow I’ve ever seen.
John is the tallest boy in the fifth grade.
My mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world.
Use superlative adjectives when you want to compare three or more nouns. To make an adjective into a superlative adjective, add -est or use the word most.