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Superlative Adjectives in English: How to Compare 3 or More Things
Superlatives compare 3 or more things and always take "the": the tallest, the most expensive.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Superlatives are used to compare 3 or more things and say which one is number one: "She is the tallest in her class." They always take "the" before the adjective.
Rules for forming superlatives
Irregular superlatives
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Practice superlative adjectives with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
It always takes 'the'
Unlike comparatives, superlatives always take "the" before the adjective: "the tallest," "the most expensive." It's never dropped.
Common mistakes learners make
Using "most" with short adjectives that already take -est, like saying "the most tall" instead of "the tallest." It's also common to drop "the" when speaking quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you form superlatives in English?
One-syllable adjectives use the + adjective + -est (tall → the tallest), adjectives with two or more syllables use the most + adjective (expensive → the most expensive).
Do you need 'the' before the superlative?
Yes, always. "The tallest," "the most expensive": "the" is never dropped with superlatives.
What are the irregular superlatives in English?
Good → the best, bad → the worst, far → the farthest/the furthest. They don't follow any rule, you have to memorize them.
What's the difference between comparative and superlative?
The comparative compares 2 things (taller than), the superlative compares 3 or more and points out the number one (the tallest).
What are some examples of superlatives?
"This is the best restaurant in town." "He is the tallest player on the team." "That was the most difficult exam."
Why do learners say "the most tall" instead of "the tallest"?
Because in many languages, one word for "most" is used regardless of the adjective's length, which leads to applying "most" to short adjectives that should use -est in English.
Practice superlative adjectives with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.