Superlative Adjectives 44 examples INTERMEDIATE PATTERN ENGLISH

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Explanation + Extra Activities

What Are Superlatives?

Superlatives are words we use to compare three or more things and show which one is the most or least of something. Superlatives usually describe the biggest, smallest, fastest, or best.

How to Form Superlatives

1. Short words (1 syllable):
   • Add “-est” to the end of the adjective.
     • Example:
       • “small” → “smallest”
       • “fast” → “fastest”
2. Words ending in -e (1 syllable):
   • Add “-st” (just drop the “e”).
     • Example:
       • “large” → “largest”
       • “nice” → “nicest”
3. Words with 2 syllables (ending in y):
   • Change the -y to -iest.
     • Example:
       • “happy” → “happiest”
       • “easy” → “easiest”
4. Longer words (2+ syllables):
   • Use “most” or “least” before the adjective.
     • Example:
       • “beautiful” → “most beautiful”
       • “expensive” → “most expensive”

Examples of Regular Superlatives

• small → smallest
• tall → tallest
• big → biggest
• interesting → most interesting

Difficult Cases & Exceptions

1. Double letters:
   If a word ends in a vowel + consonant (like “big”), double the final consonant before adding “-est.”
   • Example: “big” → “biggest”
2. Irregular adjectives:
   Some adjectives don’t follow the regular rules and change completely.
   • good → “best” (not “goodest”)
   • bad → “worst” (not “baddest”)
   • far → “farthest” (or “furthest”)
3. Adjectives that can’t be compared:
   Some words already mean “the most,” so they don’t have a superlative form. For example:
   • “Perfect” (you can’t say “most perfect” because perfect is already the highest level)

When to Use Superlatives

• Use superlatives when comparing three or more things.
  • Example:
    • “This is the biggest cake of all.” (You’re comparing many cakes.)
    • “She is the tallest student in the class.” (Comparing students in a whole group.)

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Summary

Superlatives help show the most or least of something when you compare three or more things. For most short adjectives, you add “-est”, but for longer ones, you use “most” or “least”. Some words like “good” and “bad” are irregular and need special forms like “best” and “worst.”

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Extra practice!

Superlatives Quiz – ESL

Level 1: Beginner

Instructions: Choose the correct superlative form for each sentence.

1. This is the _______ (big) cake in the bakery.
2. She is the _______ (fast) runner in the team.
3. This movie is the _______ (funny) of all.
4. I have the _______ (small) dog in the neighborhood.
5. He is the _______ (tall) person in the class.
6. This park is the _______ (beautiful) place in the city.
7. Today is the _______ (hot) day of the year.
8. She has the _______ (happy) smile in the photo.
9. That was the _______ (bad) meal I’ve ever eaten.
10. This is the _______ (easy) test I’ve ever taken.
11. My brother is the _______ (short) person in my family.
12. This is the _______ (new) car I’ve ever owned.
13. It was the _______ (cold) night of the winter.
14. He is the _______ (strong) player on the team.
15. That is the _______ (old) building in the town.

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Level 1 Answers:

1. biggest
2. fastest
3. funniest
4. smallest
5. tallest
6. most beautiful
7. hottest
8. happiest
9. worst
10. easiest
11. shortest
12. newest
13. coldest
14. strongest
15. oldest

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Level 2: Intermediate

Instructions: Choose the correct superlative form and verb tense.

1. This is the _______ (expensive) gift I’ve ever received.
2. That restaurant is the _______ (popular) in the neighborhood.
3. She has always been the _______ (intelligent) student in the class.
4. This summer was the _______ (hot) in years.
5. He arrived at the _______ (early) time possible.
6. They chose the _______ (difficult) project to work on.
7. That is the _______ (good) book I have read this year.
8. The _______ (interesting) part of the movie was the ending.
9. This is the _______ (fast) I have ever completed a marathon.
10. We visited the _______ (far) country on our list.
11. This year’s performance was the _______ (bad) we’ve ever had.
12. She made the _______ (loud) noise in the whole building.
13. The _______ (exciting) moment of the trip was seeing the waterfall.
14. It was the _______ (dark) night I’ve ever seen.
15. That was the _______ (hard) exam we’ve had in school.

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Level 2 Answers:

1. most expensive
2. most popular
3. most intelligent
4. hottest
5. earliest
6. most difficult
7. best
8. most interesting
9. fastest
10. farthest / furthest
11. worst
12. loudest
13. most exciting
14. darkest
15. hardest

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Level 3: Advanced

Instructions: Complete the sentences with the correct superlative forms and pay attention to verb tenses.

1. This has been the _______ (challenging) year in the company’s history.
2. Of all the cities we’ve visited, Tokyo is by far the _______ (modern).
3. This laptop is the _______ (thin) one available on the market right now.
4. She is the _______ (thoughtful) person I have ever met.
5. That was the _______ (bad) decision you could have made!
6. These flowers are the _______ (rare) species in the country.
7. It was the _______ (early) he had ever woken up for work.
8. This has been the _______ (productive) meeting we’ve had all year.
9. That company has developed the _______ (advanced) technology we’ve seen.
10. He gave the _______ (convincing) argument in the debate.
11. Of all the meals I’ve cooked, this one turned out to be the _______ (tasty).
12. That is the _______ (far) point you can reach by car.
13. She made the _______ (confusing) presentation in the group.
14. They completed the project in the _______ (efficient) way possible.
15. This experiment has produced the _______ (unexpected) results we’ve encountered.

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Level 3 Answers:

1. most challenging
2. most modern
3. thinnest
4. most thoughtful
5. worst
6. rarest
7. earliest
8. most productive
9. most advanced
10. most convincing
11. tastiest
12. farthest / furthest
13. most confusing
14. most efficient
15. most unexpected

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