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Describing and comparing, part 4 of 5
Superlatives in English: The Tallest, the Most Famous, and the Best
To say something is the most of all: the + a short adjective + -est (the tallest), or the most + a long adjective (the most famous).
The idea
What the superlative is
To say something is the most in a group: the + a short adjective with -est, or the most + a long adjective.
- Short: the -est. the fastest car
- Long: the most. the most famous actor
- Irregular: the best. the best team
When to use it
To say which one is the best, the most expensive, or the biggest in a group or a place. These expressions go with it:
To recommend
- the best place
- the cheapest option
- the nicest people
To tell a story
- the worst day ever
- the scariest part
- the hardest thing
With in and of
- in the world
- in my family
- of the year
- of all
Examples
- A short adjective
The Nile is the longest river in Africa.
- A long adjective
This is the most popular song right now.
- Irregular
You are the best friend.
- With in
It is the tallest building in town.
- With of
Friday is the busiest day of the week.
How to build it
3 steps
- Start with theThe superlative almost always has the:the ...
- Short: -est; long: mostLike the comparative:the warmest / the most famous
- Say the groupIn for places and groups; of for the rest:the warmest in Mexico
Short adjective
- ALima
- isis
- the + adjective + estthe largest city
- in / ofin Peru.
Long adjective
- AIt
- isis
- the most + adjectivethe most beautiful beach
- in / ofof all.
The rule
From adjective to superlative
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| cold | colder | the coldest |
| big | bigger | the biggest |
| busy | busier | the busiest |
| famous | more famous | the most famous |
| good / bad | better / worse | the best / the worst |
How to pronounce it
biggest
/ˈbɪɡəst/The final -est is soft, /əst/, with a clear t.
most
/moʊst/The o is /oʊ/, like in go.
Check
This is (blank) beach in Florida. Which one goes in the blank?
Don't confuse it with the comparative
My bag is heavier than yours.
Two: comparative
My bag is the heaviest of all.
All: superlative
The comparative is between two and takes than. The superlative is one against all and takes the.
ComparativesIn real life
If the group is a place or a group of people (the house, the country, the team), use in: the coldest room in the house.
Frequently asked questions
Does it always take the?
Almost always. No the only with a possessive before it: my best friend, her oldest son.
In or of?
In with places and groups (in the world, in my class). Of with numbers and times (of the three, of the year).
Can I say the most big?
No. Short adjectives take -est: the biggest.
In short
- Short: the + -est: the coldest.
- Long: the most + adjective: the most famous.
- Big: the biggest. Busy: the busiest.
- Irregular: the best, the worst. Place: in.