When comparing two things one uses the comparative; however, for comparisons in larger
groups, it is the superlative which must be used. The superlative
designates extremes: the best, the first, the worst, the last,
etc.
The superlative operates like the comparative, with these exceptions:
A. While the word "more" or the ending
"–er" signals the comparative, it is the word "most"
or the ending "–est" that designates the
superlative. (See irregular forms,
below):
He is the most efficient worker we have.
That is the poorest family in the neighborhood.
B. The compared term (adjective or adverb) will be
preceded by the definite article:
He works the fastest of any student I know.
She is the tallest woman in town.
B. Unlike the comparative, the superlative is not
followed by "than": instead, one uses "of," followed
by the context of the comparison (although this context is
sometimes implicit):
It's the best day of my life!
She works the best of the whole class.
She's the one who arrived first.
Irregular forms: Adjectives
Monosyllabic adjectives (and several common
two-syllable adjectives) take the ending "–est" in
superlatives of superiority, and thus will not use the adverb
"most." However, these same adjectives will use
"less," like other adjectives, in superlatives of
inferiority:
young –> youngest
tall –> tallest
old –> oldest
If the adjective ends in "–y" the "y" becomes
"i":
heavy –> heaviest
early –> earliest
busy –> busiest
healthy –> healthiest
chilly –> chilliest
If the adjective ends in "–e" one adds only
"–st" :
wise –> wisest
large –> largest
simple –> simplest
late –> latest
If the adjective ends in "single vowel +
consonant," the consonant is doubled and one adds
"–est":
red –> reddest
big –> biggest
thin –> thinnest
hot –> hottest
Some very common superlatives have irregular forms:
good –> best
bad –> worst
far –> farthest
Some adjectives exist only in superlative form:
first
last
Irregular forms: Adverbs
Adverbs not ending in "–ly" do not use the
adverb "–most" in the formation of superlatives of
superiority, but use instead the ending "–est." However,
these same adverbs will use "less," like other adverbs, in
superlatives of inferiority: