Superlatives grammar in English

Language: English
Level: B1
Unit: Adjectives and Adverbs
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

Superlatives are words we use in English to show that something has the highest or lowest degree of a quality in a group. For example, 'the tallest', 'the fastest', or 'the most interesting'.

When to use it

Use superlatives when you want to say that one person or thing is the best, worst, biggest, smallest, etc. in a group.

Key forms

For short adjectives: the + adjective + -est (e.g. the biggest)
For long adjectives: the most + adjective (e.g. the most beautiful)

Examples

She is the smartest student in the class.

This is the most expensive restaurant in town.

My house is the oldest on the street.

He ran the fastest in the race.

Tips

Always use 'the' before a superlative.
For adjectives ending in -y, change 'y' to 'i' before adding -est (e.g. happy → the happiest).
Some adjectives are irregular (e.g. good → the best, bad → the worst).

Exceptions and edge cases

Irregular superlatives: good → the best, bad → the worst, far → the farthest/furthest.
Some adjectives cannot be used with superlatives (e.g. unique, perfect).