THE SUPERLATIVE: FORM

We use the superlative when we compare one thing or person with two or more things or people. We use the particle “the” to introduce the adjective.

For example:

Paul is the most famous player in the world. There are two ways of putting and adjective into the superlative form, depending on the adjective.

a) With short adjectives, we add -est to the adjective. Short adjectives have got one or two syllables. For example: clean -> cleanest long -> longest short -> shortest fast -> fastest Attention: with adjectives ending in -e we add only -st. For example: nice -> nicest safe -> safest

Attention: with adjectives ending in -y we take away the -y and add -iest. For example: happy -> happiest easy -> easiest scary -> scariest Attention: with adjectives ending in consonant + vowel + consonant we double the last consonant. For example: big -> biggest fat -> fattest thin -> thinnest

Attention: some adjectives have irregular forms. For example: good -> best bad -> worst far -> farthest / furthest

b) With long adjectives, we add "most" in front of the adjective.

Long adjectives have got two or more syllables. For example:

beautiful -> most beautiful important -> most important boring -> most boring famous -> most famous

SUMMARY OF THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

we compare two things we compare one thing with two or more

Particle: “than” Particle: “the”

a) Short adjectives: -er a) short adjectives: -est except irregular adjectives except irregular adjectives

b) Long adjectives: more b) long adjectives: most

EQUALITY AND UNEQUALITY

To express equality, that two things are similar, we use a different construction: as + adjective + as To express unequality, that two things are different, not similar, we use this construction with a negative verb.

For example:

150 euros = 150 eurosThe ring is as expensive as the watch. (EQUALITY) The ring isn't as useful as the watch. (UNEQUALITY)