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Superlatives: the biggest, the most interesting
A2 A2 grammar · lesson 10 of 25
Superlatives compare one person or thing with all the others in a group. You learned comparatives in the last lesson, and superlatives follow very similar rules.
How to make superlatives
Superlatives almost always have the before them. The spelling rules are the same as for comparatives: short adjectives add -est, long adjectives use the most, and some adjectives are irregular.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | the tallest |
| nice | nicer | the nicest |
| big | bigger | the biggest |
| happy | happier | the happiest |
| expensive | more expensive | the most expensive |
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | further | the furthest |
Using superlatives
After a superlative we often use in + a place or group (in the world, in the class, in my family) or of + a time or number (of the year, of all).
The blue whale is the biggest animal in the world.
Ken is the tallest boy in our class.
This is the most beautiful beach I know.
Sunday was the hottest day of the year.
Maria is the best player in the team.
That was the worst film I’ve ever seen.
Which is the cheapest hotel in the town?
Lucy is the funniest person in my family.
Common mistakes
✗ He is the most tall student.
✓ He is the tallest student.
✗ This is most expensive car.
✓ This is the most expensive car.
✗ She is the best singer of the school.
✓ She is the best singer in the school.
✗ It’s the baddest day of my life.
✓ It’s the worst day of my life.