She is the smartest student in the class.
- Language
- English
- Level
- B2
- Unit
- Comparison and Degree
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Superlatives are used in English to show that something has the highest or lowest degree of a quality among a group.
When to use it
Use superlatives when you want to say that one thing or person is the most or least of all in a group.
Key forms
- the + adjective + -est (for short adjectives): the tallest
- the most + adjective (for longer adjectives): the most interesting
- Irregular forms: the best, the worst, the farthest
Examples
This is the most expensive restaurant in town.
He ran the fastest in the race.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
Tips
- Always use 'the' before the superlative form.
- For adjectives with one syllable, add '-est'. For longer adjectives, use 'the most'.
- Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms, like 'good' becomes 'the best'.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Irregular adjectives: good → the best, bad → the worst, far → the farthest/furthest.