Adjectives:Superlatives

Around the World in Superlatives

8

Focus on Grammar 3Part VI, Unit 25By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Superlatives Trivia QuizA Superlatives Trivia Quiz

1. What is the highest mountain in the world?

2. Where is the tallest waterfall located?

3. What is the longest river?

4. What is the driest place on earth?

5. What is the most populated nation?

6. What is often called the happiest place on earth?

7. What is one of the most mysterious places?

Hang on! You’ll get the answers

later!

Hang on! You’ll get the answers

later!

Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative Adjectives

Use superlative adjectives to compare one person, place, or thing with other people, places, or things in a group.

The Amazon River The Nile River The Yangtze RiverThe Nile River

The Yangtze

River

The Amazon

River

The Nile River is the longest river in the world.

happyDisneyland is often calledthe happiest

place on earth.

Disneyland is often calledthe happiest

place on earth.

Form 1Form 1

For short adjectives (one syllable and two syllables ending in –y), use the + adjective + -est.

high

the highestthe happiest

Mount Everest is

the highest mountain.

Mount Everest is

the highest mountain.

the biggest

bigThe pyramidsin Egypt are the biggest

tombs.

The pyramidsin Egypt are the biggest

tombs.

The Atacama Desertin Chile is

the driest desert.

The Atacama Desertin Chile is

the driest desert.

Be Careful!Be Careful!

There are often spelling changes when you add –est.

dry

the driest

Be Careful!Be Careful!

Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms.

This is the worst camera. This is the worst camera. Wow!! This is the best place to see the Eiffel

Tower!

Wow!! This is the best place to see the Eiffel

Tower!

badbadgoodgood

the least inhabited

inhabitedSome scientists saythat the Brazilian

rain forest isthe least inhabited

place on earth.

Some scientists saythat the Brazilian

rain forest isthe least inhabited

place on earth.

mysterious

the most mysterious

Some archaeologistssay that Easter Island

is one of the most mysterious

places in the world.

Some archaeologistssay that Easter Island

is one of the most mysterious

places in the world.

Form 2Form 2

For long adjectives (two or more syllables), usethe most / the least + adjective.

The weather in Greece in May was the pleasantest.

The weather in Greece in May was the pleasantest.

The weather in Greece in May was the most pleasant.

The weather in Greece in May was the most pleasant.

The weather in the Grand Canyon in July wasthe least pleasant.

The weather in the Grand Canyon in July wasthe least pleasant.

Form 3Form 3

For some adjectives, like pleasant, lively, lovely, or quiet, use either the… -est or the most / the least.

Practice 1Practice 1 Change the adjectives into superlative forms.

Example: large the largest

1. friendly

2. hot

3. crowded

4. expensive

5. far

6. nice

7. early

the hottest

the friendliest or the most friendly

the most crowded

the farthest

the most expensive

the nicest

the earliest

Now, create your own sentences with these

superlatives.

Now, create your own sentences with these

superlatives.

Expressions 1Expressions 1

We often use the superlative with other words and expressions, including in and of (in the world, of all).

China is the most populated nation in the world.

China is the most populated nation in the world.

Angel Falls inArgentina is

the tallest waterfall of all (waterfalls).

Angel Falls inArgentina is

the tallest waterfall of all (waterfalls).

Expressions 2Expressions 2

We often use the superlative with ever + the present perfect.

Machu Picchu has the most amazing ruins that I’ve ever seen!

Machu Picchu has the most amazing ruins that I’ve ever seen!

ever + present perfect

ever + present perfect

Practice 2Practice 2Talk with a partner and complete the sentences with your own ideas.

Example: The most interesting place I’ve ever seen is…

1. The most popular tourist site in my country is…

2. The nicest place to stay in my country is…

3. The most dangerous place of all places is…

4. I think the oldest ruins in the world are…

5. The best food I’ve ever eaten is…

6. The prettiest place I’ve ever been to is…

The most interesting place I’ve ever seen is…

The most interesting place I’ve ever seen is…the Taj Mahal in India.

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.

ReferencesReferences