Have you ever wondered, if in any situation, you are asked to define something to its absolute finest or to its lowest degree, how will you do it? Think!!
Still wondering, right? No worries, the superlative degree is that javelin that will help you precisely express your thoughts.
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Superlative degree in English grammar is simply a form of an adjective or an adverb, and it is used to compare or differentiate three or more things in any context. For a better understanding, look for the example below.
For example:
In the example above, the superlative degree of pretty is prettiest, which compares one dress to multiple dresses in the shop.
While the superlative is a form of an adjective or adverb, it functions distinctly in each case as a superlative form of adjective display that something has a quality to the greatest or least degree. Meanwhile, the superlative form of an adverb is used to display that something has completed an action to the greatest or least degree.
The following are a few examples of superlative degrees to help you understand better.
(Nicest = nice superlative degree)
(Cutest = cute superlative degree)
(Most = Superlative degree of much)
(Least = Less superlative degree)
Various famous dictionaries have stated their definition of superlative degree, which simplifies its meaning for learners to understand.
The superlative degree of comparison is of great use when we have to display that something carries a quality to the greatest (or least) extent among three or more items. Here are the key characteristics of the superlative degree.
1. Indicates the Extreme: The superlative degree of comparison describes the highest and lowest degree of a specific quality. It compares one thing with one thing with all others in a group. For example, he is the fastest runner in the sprint.
2. Use of "the": The superlative degree of comparison is normally preceded by "the" to specify the given instance. For example, this is the biggest house I've ever seen.
3. Create a base of comparison among three or more: With the help of a superlative degree of comparison, you can compare one thing with multiple others. This characteristic makes it distinct from the comparative degree, which compares two things. For example, this is the most exciting web series I've ever seen. (among multiple web series)
4. Irregular forms: It is a common instance that you will find adjectives with irregular superlative forms. For example, good - best, bad - worst, little - least.
The formation of the superlatives is highly dependent upon the various factors revolving around the adjective. Here are some superlative degree rules that will help you with correct formation.
1. Short adjectives: Add "est" to the adjective with one syllable to form its superlative form. For example, fast - fastest, tall - tallest.
2. Short adjectives (CVC pattern): If a short adjective follows a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, double the final consonant and then add "est". For example, big - biggest, sad - saddest.
3. Adjective ending in "-y": Change the "-y" to "-i", then add "-est". For example, happy-happiest, lucky - luckiest.
4. Adjective ending in "-e": In this case, add "-st" as a suffix. For example, large - largest, safe - safest, nice- nicest.
5. Long Adjectives: Use the terms "most" and "least" for adjectives with two syllables or more. For example, useful - least useful, careful - more careful.
Till now, if you're still facing confusion with the understanding of this topic, no worries, the examples of superlative degree in sentences will help you enhance your understanding.
1. His retirement was the saddest moment in Cricket history. (superlative degree of sad)
2. This bike is the fastest in the race. (superlative degree of fast)
3. That was the cleverest resolution of the problem. (superlative degree of clever)
4. Today is the happiest day of my life. (happy superlative degree)
5. This is the smallest fish I've ever seen. (small superlative degree)
6. Ronit has the least bit of hope left. (little superlative degree)
7. Currently, he is living the worst phase of his life. (superlative degree of bad)
8. He is the funniest comedian on the show. (superlative degree of funny)
9. He is the best player on the team. (good superlative degree)
10. He explained it the most clearly of all the presenters. (clear superlative degree)
In English grammar, the three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative define the intensity of an adjective or adverb. Each of these is used in different contexts, with positive being the basic form, comparative compares two things, and superlative is helpful in comparing three or more things. Below is the table explaining the differences between the three degrees.
| Basis | Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The positive degree is the basic form of the adjective or adverb that defines the quality or characteristic without being compared. | Comparative degree is used to compare between two nouns or pronouns, indicating which one has a higher or lower extent of a specific quality. | The last degree of comparison is used to display the highest or lowest extent of a quality when comparing three or more items. |
| Usage | Used when no comparison is made or the given quality is defined in its basic form. | Used to compare two things, items, or people on the grounds of a particular quality. | Used in contexts when comparison is among three or more things, items, or actions. |
| Examples | · Tall: Rahul isTall· Good: He is a good player. | · Taller: Rahul istaller than Jay.· Better: He is a better player than him. | · Tallest:Rahul is thetallest in the group· Best: He is the best player on the team |
Practice makes you perfect, and this applies to this learning journey also. Now that you have discovered the superlative degree meaning with its examples and some rules, go ahead and solve the following superlative degree practice exercises to assess your understanding.
Read the sentences below and underline the superlative degree in each sentence
1. This is the hottest summer I have ever experienced.
2. Among all the brownies, this one is the richest in flavour.
3. The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.
4. That was the worst movie I have ever seen.
5. The Sahara is the largest desert in the world.
6. This is the least expensive item in the store.
7. This is the most beautiful picture in my gallery.
8. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
9. He is the fastest swimmer in the competition.
10. That was the most exciting web series of the season.
Answer for Exercise 1
1. This is the hottest summer I have ever experienced.
2. Among all the brownies, this one is the richest in flavour.
3. The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.
4. That was the worst movie I have ever seen.
5. The Sahara is the largest desert in the world.
6. This is the least expensive item in the store.
7. This is the most beautiful picture in my gallery.
8. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
9. He is the fastest swimmer in the competition.
10. That was the most exciting web series of the season.
In this superlative degree exercise, you have to choose the correct superlative from the choices provided to complete each sentence.
1. She is the _______ (most creative / creativeest / most creativeest) writer in our team.
2. That was the _______ (funniest / more funny / funniestest) joke I've heard in a while.
3. Among all the cars, this one is the _______ (most expensive / expensiveest / most expensiveest).
4. That was the __________ (a) least interesting / (b) more interesting / (c) most interesting movie of the year
5. The Amazon rainforest is the _______ (largest / largests / most largest) forest in the world.
6. The Eiffel Tower is one of the _______ (most famous / famousest / most famousest) landmarks in the world.
7. That was the _______ (most difficult / difficultest / most difficultest) question I have ever solved.
8. The blue diamond is one of the _______ (rarest / rarest / more rare) gemstones.
9. Of all the sweets, this one is the __________ (a) tastiest / (b) most tastiest / (c) more tasty.
10. It was the __________ (a) most rainy / (b) rainiest / (c) more rainy day of the month.
Answers for Exercise 2
1. She is the most creative writer in our team.
2. That was the funniest joke I've heard in a while.
3. Among all the cars, this one is the most expensive.
4. That was the most interesting movie of the year
5. The Amazon rainforest is the largest forest in the world.
6. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
7. That was the most difficult question I have ever solved.
8. The blue diamond is one of the rarest gemstones.
9. Of all the sweets, this one is the tastiest.
10. It was the rainiest day of the month.
This sums up our learning journey to a superlative degree, the powerful English grammar tool. Learning this tool is of high value as it allows one to stress the extreme qualities of things and actions. Understanding the use of the superlative degree of comparison is useful to add accuracy and influence in communication. So next time you want to compare three things or more, remember the superlative degree is the solution.
Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about such grammatical tools or join english classes, connect with our experts today for guidance.
1. What are the points to be remembered when using the superlative degree of comparison?
Some key points to remember while using the superlative degree of comparison are:
2. What is the comparative and superlative degree of little?
The comparative form of little is "less", and the superlative form is least. However, other forms like "littler" and "littlest" are mostly used in informal contexts.
3. How is the superlative degree different from the comparative degree?
The superlative degree compares one thing to multiple others, defining the highest or lowest degree of a quality. However, the comparative degree compares only two things to show the one with more or less of a quality.
4. What are irregular superlatives?
Irregular superlative normally refers to the superlative forms of adjectives, which do not follow the general pattern of adding "-est" or using most and least. These superlatives have unique forms that are learned distinctly. For example, bad becomes worst, far becomes furthest.
5. Can adverbs also have a superlative degree?
Yes, adverbs also have a superlative degree just like adjectives. Superlative adverbs indicate the highest or lowest degree of an action among three or more things being compared.
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