One of the three degrees of comparison is the superlative degree. We use it to describe something or someone with the highest degree of characteristics among a group.
Review the definition and use of superlatives, then answer the three worksheets I made to check your mastery of the topic.
What Is a Superlative?
A superlative adjective is the highest degree of comparison in English adjectives. There are three ways to form superlatives:
- Short adjectives require -est in the end. Some examples include brightest, biggest, and tallest. If the word ends in -y, change it to i. For instance, happy becomes happiest.
- Long adjectives use most before the word. Some examples include most intelligent, most terrible, and most sophisticated.
- Some adjectives require spelling changes, such as worst, farthest, and best.
Some 2-syllable adjectives can use rule 1 or 2. For example, quiet can become quietest or most quiet.
Use superlatives when describing something in a group of three or more. For example:
- The blue whale is the biggest animal on the planet.
- Amy is the youngest of four siblings.
- I am the happiest man on earth.
Do not use the when we compare one thing with itself. For example:
- She is kindest when she’s in a good mood.
Summarizing Superlatives
The superlative degree compares three or more things to show which one has the most or least degree of the characteristic. Remember:
- Use the when comparing three or more nouns.
- Don’t use the when comparing something to itself.
- Some adjectives require -est, while others require most.
- Best, worst, and other adjectives require a change in spelling.