Suffix · forms superlative adjectives
Forms the superlative of short adjectives: tall becomes the tallest.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
The suffix -est forms the superlative of short adjectives (one or two syllables). It is equivalent to "el/la más + adjective" in Spanish. From "tall" you get "the tallest"; from "fast" you get "the fastest". The superlative is always preceded by "the": "She is the tallest in the class." Without "the" the superlative sounds unnatural in English.
The rule is identical to the comparative (-er vs "more"): Short adjectives (1-2 syllables): add -est. tall → the tallest, fast → the fastest, big → the biggest. Long adjectives (3 or more syllables): use "most". beautiful → the most beautiful, important → the most important. Irregulars: good → the best (not "the goodest"), bad → the worst, far → the farthest/furthest.
The same three spelling rules from the comparative apply to the superlative: 1. Consonant-vowel-consonant: double the final consonant. big → the biggest, hot → the hottest. 2. Ends in silent -e: just add -st. large → the largest, nice → the nicest. 3. Ends in -y after a consonant: -y → -i + est. happy → the happiest, easy → the easiest.
Short adjective (1-2 syllables) + est. Always preceded by "the".
Always use "the" with the superlative. Without it the sentence sounds wrong. Long adjectives use "the most": the most important, the most beautiful, the most interesting.
-est (superlative)/ɪst/ · sounds like 'ist'
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
The superlative ALWAYS needs "the" in English. Without the article it is grammatically wrong.
Never combine "most" with -est. Short adjectives only take -est, not "most".
good → the best, bad → the worst. These are the two most important irregular superlatives.
A trick to remember it
Superlative = "the" + adjective-est (for short adjectives) or "the most" + adjective (for long adjectives). Always with "the". good → the best, bad → the worst.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the correct superlative of "good"?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"She is ___ student in the class." Which correctly completes this?
The suffix -est (superlative) forms the superlative of short adjectives: tall becomes the tallest. In Spanish it usually maps to el/la más ....
The ending -est (superlative) is pronounced /ɪst/ · sounds like 'ist'. For example, "tallest".
"tall" becomes "tallest". It is a typical example of the -est (superlative) suffix.
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