Superlative Adjectives (most, best, etc.) – English Grammar video lesson

In This English Video Lesson Valen is explaining the grammar rules on superlative adjectives. This is a second lesson that comes after the Comparative Adjectives lesson. Now learn how to compare three things or more in English!

The superlative adjectives are comparing three or more things or people (nouns).

 

Examples:

I am the tallest in my class.

In this example I am comparing myself with the rest of my class. (Class is 3 or more pupils).

1) One-syllable adjectives

General rule: Superlative adjectives are formed by adding “EST” suffix to the one-syllable adjective.

Examples:

tall – tallest

cold – coldest

old – oldest

small – hardest

2) One-syllable adjectives ending with consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC)

Rule: last consonant is doubled + “EST” suffix is added.

Examples:

big – biggest (Our house is the biggest house on my street)

hot – hottest (Today is the hottest day in the summer)

3) Two-syllable adjectives ending with “y”

Rule: “y” is changed to “i” + “EST” suffix is added.

Examples:

early – earliest

crazy – craziest

(My new cat is the craziest cat I’ve ever had)

4) Two-syllable adjectives that don’t end with “y” or three-syllables

Rule: The superlative is formed by adding the word “most” (or “least”) in front of the adjective.

 

Examples:

expensive – most expensive (least expensive)

My new car is more expensive than my old car. (Using the comparative adjective)

This is the most expensive (least expensive) jacket in the store. (Using the superlative adjective)

There are several exceptions to these rules.

For example, the superlative form for “good” is “best” (It’s not “goodest”, nor “most good” – that’s completely wrong use).

Example: I got the best mark in my class.