Superlative in English: The usages and structures

The highest level of comparison that we often refer to is superlative comparison. So what is the structure for superlative in English? How can we correctly use the superlative structure in English? Let's explore how to apply this grammar structure together with PREP in the article below!

I. What is superlative in English?

The superlative in English is used to compare one object, quality, or action with all other comparable items. It expresses the maximum or minimum degree of a property.

For example:

• She is the tallest girl in the class.
• This is the most delicious cake I have ever tasted. 

II. Indications of superlative in English

Here are some key ways to identify superlative in English:

• Use "the" before the adjective/adverb in the superlative form. For example: the tallest, the most delicious, the highest, the fastest, the longest.
• Employ the superlative form of the adjective/adverb. For example: tallest, most delicious, highest, fastest, longest.
• Often include "in" or "of" to specify the scope of comparison. For example: the tallest in the class, the most delicious cake I have ever tasted, the highest mountain in the world.
• Typically compare one object or attribute to all others within a group.
• Sometimes use "one" after "the" to pinpoint the object being compared. For example: the tallest one, the most delicious one, the highest one.

III. Superlative use cases

The superlative in English is used in many cases to compare two or more objects, qualities, or actions against each other. Below are some common cases of the superlative form:

IV. The superlative structure in English

Below are the superlative structures for short adjectives, short adverbs, long adjectives, and long adverbs in English. Let's explore them together with PREP!

1. Short adjectives

Short adjectives are words that have only one syllable “fast, good, tall, nice…”. 

The structure is as follows: 

S + V + the + Adj/adv + est + N

For example:

• This is the smallest car in the showroom. 
•  She ran the fastest in the race. 

What are rules for constructing superlative comparison with short adjectives? Let’s check them out with PREP!

Here are some special cases for forming the superlative form of short adjectives and adverbs: In addition to the rules above for adjectives and adverbs in the superlative degree, there are some exceptional cases below that we should explore together with PREP!

2. Long adjectives (two or more syllables)

Long adjectives are adjectives that have two or more syllables such as pleasant, expensive, and intellectual.

The formula is as follows:

S + V + the + most Adj/adv + N

For example:

• That movie was the most exciting film I’ve ever seen.
• She sings the most beautifully of all the contestants. 

V. A comparison between comparative and superlative

In English, there are two main types of comparison: comparative and superlative. Here is the difference between these two forms:

• Comparative is used to compare two objects, qualities, or actions against each other. For example:
  • John is taller than Peter. 
  • This book is more interesting than that book. 
• Superlative is used to compare one object, quality, or action against all other objects, qualities, or actions in a group. For example:
  • John is the tallest person in the room. 
  • This book is the most interesting book I have ever read.

The comparative and superlative degrees are closely related concepts. It is important to learn them thoroughly to avoid mixing up these two grammatical structures.

VI. Exercises on superlative in English  with detailed answers

1. Exercises

Exercise 1:  Fill in the blanks with suitable words to complete the sentence with superlative structure.

• My sister is ________ than me. (old)
• This is ________ book I have ever read. (interesting)
• He runs ________ in the morning. (fast)
• She is ________ student in the class. (intelligent)
• That building is ________ in the city. (tall)

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using superlative structures and suggested words

• The Amazon River is __________ river in the world. (long)
• She sings __________ of all the contestants. (beautiful)
• My brother is __________ person I know. (generous)
• This is __________ film I’ve ever seen. (exciting)
• The cheetah is __________ animal on land. (fast)

2. Answer keys

Exercise 1:

• the longest
• the most beautifully
• the most generous
• the most exciting
• the fastest

Exercise 2:

• older
• the most interesting
• the fastest
• the most intelligent
• the tallest

PREP has concisely summarized the superlative in English in the article above. Hopefully, you can gain useful knowledge for yourselves. All the best in your journey to conquer the English language!