A.

THE SUPERLATIVES
I. What are Superlatives?
Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a
quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest)
II. How To Use Superlatives?
Superlatives are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects or
other words, is to show the difference between more than two things or more than two
people.
Formula:

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object)

III. Examples
My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
1 2 3 4

1/ “My house” is the noun (subject); 2/ “is” is the (linking) verb; 3/ “largest” is the
superlative adjective; 4/ “our neighborhood” is the noun (object).
IV. The Rules
1. One syllable words - add “est” to the word. Remember that it is sometimes necessary
to double the final consonant. Example: big to biggest.
2. One syllable words ending with an “e” - only add “st”. Example: fine to finest or rare to
rarest.
3. Two syllable words ending with a “y” - change the “y” to an “i” and add “est.” Two
examples are crazy to craziest and silly to silliest.
4. Two and three syllable words - use “most” or “least.” Examples include most desirable
and least expensive.
V. Exception
Irregular Superlatives:
Adjectives Irregular Superlative Adjectives

Bad Worst

Good Best

Little Least
 Far Farthest(for a distance) / Furthest(for an extent)

Many Most

Much Most

B. SIMILARITIES
Similarities are use to show the same degree between two things or people. Example: Nancy is as
intelligent as Dean.

The Form of similarities: …as + adjective + as…

C. SUMMARY
1. Comparatives, Superlatives, and Similarities are called Comparison Degree
2. Comparatives are used to compare two things or two people. Example: Allan is taller than John.
3. Superlatives are used to compare more than two things or a group of objects. Example: Suzy is
the tallest girl in the class.
4. Similarities are used to to show the same degree between two things. Example: Diana is as tall
as Desi.