6 rules for using superlative adjectives

6 rules for using superlative adjectives. We use superlative adjectives when we are comparing one thing to 2 or more things.

Examples of superlative adjectives:

Of all animals, the cheetah is the fastest runner. (comparing cheetahs to every other animal)
Some people think that English is the most difficult language in the world. (comparing English to all other languages)
In my house, I have to get up the earliest because my job starts at 5 a.m. (comparing the time I get up to the time everyone else gets up).

To understand the rules for using superlative adjectives, you will need to know the meaning of a syllable.

A syllable is a single sound. For example, ‘goodbye’ has two syllables – ‘good’ and ‘bye’.

Here are some more examples:

When making superlative adjectives, there are 6 rules you need to remember:

Superlative adjectives rule 1 of 6: With adjectives with one syllable, simply add the …..+est. For example:

Superlative adjectives rule 2 of 6: if the adjective ends in +y, remove the +y and add the …+iest. For example:

Superlative adjectives rule 3 of 6: Adjectives that already end in +e only have the …+st added. For example:

Superlative adjectives rule 4 of 6:

We add the most… to words with 3 syllables or more. For example:

Superlative adjectives rule 5 of 6: With adjectives with two syllables, there are TWO possible options.

Some 2-syllable adjectives have the …est (especially adjectives that end in -y, -le, and -er)
- happy > the happiest
- bright > the brightest
Some 2-syllable adjectives have the most…
- honest > the most honest
- modern > the most modern
Other 2 syllable adjectives can use either of these options
- clever > the cleverest OR the most clever
- gentle > the gentlest OR the most gentle

Superlative adjectives rule 6 of 6: Adjectives that end with a consonant, then a vowel, then a consonant need the consonant doubled. For example:

Now test your skills with a quick test. Click the link in the table below.

Exercises / Tests